Expert prediction
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Game 2 Preview, Odds & Predictions (May 21)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- The Knicks had a furious rally in the fourth quarter to stun the Cavaliers in overtime.
- The Cavaliers hope to avoid a 2-0 series deficit.
- New York went 2-1 against Cleveland in their regular-season matchups.
The Eastern Conference Finals is underway in the 2026 NBA playoffs as the New York Knicks host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 on Thursday night. The former stands out as the slight favorite, paving the way for an entertaining series to see who comes out of the East.
How to Watch
- When: Tuesday, May 21, 8 pm ET
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
- How to Watch: ESPN
NBA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLE Cavaliers | -111 | +5 | O215 |
| NY Knicks | -109 | -5 | U215 |
Game Preview
Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers remain resilient in their playoff run, going through back-to-back seven-game series in the first two rounds. However, they suffered an embarrassing collapse in Game 1 against New York, blowing a 22-point lead as they only scored 21 points combined in the fourth quarter and overtime while New York scored 46 points. Mitchell led the attack with 29 points and six steals but went quiet in last 17 minutes of the game. James Harden underperformed down the stretch as he had 15 points but shot 5-of-16 from the field, including 1-of-8 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Evan Mobley provided 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Jalen Brunson and the Knicks are in serious title contention after winning seven straight games to eliminate the Atlanta Hawks in six games then sweep the Philadelphia 76ers in four games. This marks their second straight Conference Finals berth; the first time they pulled this off since 1999 and 2000. Brunson was at the heart of New York’s incredible comeback down 22 points in the fourth quarter, finishing the night with 38 points and six assists on 15-of-29 shooting from the field. Mikal Bridges came next with 18 points and five rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns provided 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Predictions
This Conference Finals series will see who gets to make the NBA Finals as the East representative, facing either Oklahoma City or San Antonio. It was a huge gut punch for Cleveland to collapse in Game 1, needing to recover quickly in Game 2. New York is riding high on those emotions from the rally, looking to set the tone for the remainder of the series as they seek to defend homecourt once again. Our betting pick here is for the Knicks to defend a 6.5-point spread.
- Free NBA pick: New York Knicks -6.5
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