The Cleveland Cavaliers (4-8) will travel to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks (3-10). The Cavaliers opened as 2.5-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 208.5 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, November 18, 2019.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Betting Odds
Both teams fell in their last game. The Knicks (4.5-point favorites) were defeated by the Charlotte Hornets, 103-102, while the Cavaliers (4.5-point underdogs) fell to the Philadelphia 76ers, 114-95. The New York game finished 6.5 points under the projected point total of 211.5, while the Cleveland game went 5.5 points under the projected point total of 214.5.
Cleveland held Philadelphia to an offensive rebounding percentage of 11.4 (below their season average of 24.6) while New York did an excellent job of making free throws (18-23; 78.3 percent). New York rallied around Mitchell Robinson, who contributed 17 points and 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, Tristan Thompson played a pivotal role for Cleveland with 12 points and nine rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Collin Sexton led the Cavaliers to a 108-87 win. He was the game’s top overall scorer with 31 points. The two teams combined to score 195 points, which was well under the projected point total of 213, and Cleveland covered as a 3-point underdog. Cleveland made good use of their 31 trips to the free throw line, making 28 of them (90.3 percent). New York, meanwhile, was just 16-25 (64.0 percent).
Oddsmakers tend to set the total high when the Cavaliers are playing, as seven of their 11 games have gone under the projected point total. Cleveland heads into the contest with records of 4-8 straight up (SU) and 6-3-2 against the spread (ATS).
Similarly to Cleveland, Knicks games also have a tendency to go under the projected point total (76.9 percent). Moreover, New York owns records of 3-10 SU and 6-7 ATS.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the league’s slowest-paced teams battle. New York currently ranks 28th in possessions per game (100.7) and Cleveland is 23rd (101.9).
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Knicks average 8.3 steals per game, which ranks seventh in the league. The Cavaliers rank 13th in steals allowed per game (7.7).
- New York ranks seventh in blocks allowed per game (4.4) while Cleveland ranks 26th (7.2).
- The Knicks rank first in second chance points per game (16.7) while the Cavaliers rank 14th (13.3).
- Cleveland ranks 17th in three pointers attempted per game (31.2) while New York ranks 27th (29.0).
- New York ranks seventh in rebounds per game (46.6) while Cleveland ranks 14th in rebounds allowed per game (45.7).
- The Knicks rank seventh in points allowed in the paint per game (44.0) while the Cavaliers rank 26th (51.7).
- The Cavaliers rank fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.0) while the Knicks rank 15th (17.9).
- New York ranks 10th in assists allowed per game (22.8) while Cleveland ranks 27th (26.0).
- Cleveland is 2-2 when they allow less than 100 points, while New York is 1-1.
- The Knicks are 3-6 when they reach the century mark, while the Cavaliers are 4-3.
- Cleveland is 4-1-1 ATS on the road, while New York is 2-4 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 5 of the Cavaliers’ 6 road games, while 6 of the Knicks’ 6 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Cleveland and New York have both had 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Cavaliers are 3-1-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Knicks are 2-3.
- During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 102.0 points per game (2.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.4 points per game (6.3 below their season average).
- The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.6, down from 9.0 for the season.
