New York Knicks vs Cleveland-cavaliers Picks and Predictions October 22nd 2025

Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Betting Preview

The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers open their seasons Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, two teams with parallel goals and high expectations in the Eastern Conference.

Both enter as legitimate title contenders after strong yet unfinished campaigns in 2024-25. The Cavaliers finished first in the East before falling in the semifinals, while the Knicks reached the conference finals for the first time in 25 years.

New York replaced Tom Thibodeau with Mike Brown, signaling a “win-now” mentality. Cleveland stuck with Kenny Atkinson after he led them to 64 wins and a Coach of the Year award. Both squads bring continuity, depth, and urgency into this matchup, their first of four regular-season meetings.

You can follow every team matchup and early line change through the NBA previews page

Line Movement and Odds

At tip-off, Cleveland is a -1.5 favorite (-108) over New York (+1.5, -112) with a total of 226.5 points. The moneyline sits around Cavaliers -117 and Knicks -102, per the NBA odds board

The line opened as a pick’em but has shifted toward Cleveland after sharp bettors sided with the road team, while about 60% of public tickets remain on New York. Early totals action shows slight value on the under after moving down from 227.

The Cavaliers’ preseason form and health edge appear to be influencing the market, especially with the Knicks dealing with multiple rotation injuries.

Matchup Breakdown

Cleveland’s Path to Victory:
The Cavaliers’ balanced attack centers on Donovan Mitchell’s scoring and Evan Mobley’s defensive reach. Mobley’s improved range (37% from three last season) stretches defenses, while Jarrett Allen’s interior presence anchors the paint. Lonzo Ball’s addition brings transition pace and defensive organization, giving Cleveland a stabilizing playmaker who complements Mitchell well.

New York’s Path to Victory:
The Knicks will look to control tempo behind Jalen Brunson, who averaged 31 points and 7 assists in his last outing. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby provide two-way reliability, while Karl-Anthony Towns spaces the floor as a pick-and-pop threat. Under Mike Brown, New York aims for sharper defensive rotations and quicker ball movement.

The Knicks’ home-court edge is notable, but Cleveland’s perimeter depth and second-unit playmaking could be the difference.

Injuries and Conditions

New York Knicks:

• Josh Hart (back) – out
• Mitchell Robinson (ankle) – out
• OG Anunoby (load management) – questionable
  → Full updates on the Knicks injury report

Cleveland Cavaliers:

• Max Strus (foot) – out until late November
• Darius Garland (toe) – questionable
• De’Andre Hunter (knee) – day-to-day
  → Track status on the Cavaliers injury report

The game is indoors, so no weather factors are in play.

Best Bets and Prediction

Expect both defenses to dictate early pace. With the Knicks shorthanded and the Cavaliers’ ball movement clicking, Cleveland’s depth gives them a slight advantage.

Prediction: Cavaliers 112, Knicks 107
Best Bet: Cavaliers -1.5
Secondary Lean: Under 226.5

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