The Knicks are favored at home ahead of Game 3 vs. the Cavaliers
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Can the New York Knicks take a 2-1 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night?
The Knicks are 1.5-point favorites Friday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) after they got a split in Cleveland over the first two games of the series. New York won the first game of the series before the Cavaliers stormed back with an incredibly easy win in Game 2 to even the series.
The Knicks are getting a boost from oddsmakers for having home-court advantage and Julius Randle on the court. Randle returned for the postseason after missing time at the end of the regular season because of a sprained ankle.
If you’re looking to bet Cleveland, you’re probably eyeing New York’s home record during the regular season. Yes, Madison Square Garden is likely going to be raucous on Friday. That could play a big role. But the Knicks were just 23-18 at home this season and 24-17 on the road. Cleveland was 31-10 at home and 20-21 on the road.
The total for the game is at 211.5 and we’re leaning to the over in this one in the hopes there are a few more points in this one. There were just 208 combined points in Game 1 and 207 points in Game 2.
We’d also advise you to go with a moneyline pick, especially if you’re looking to bet the Cavaliers. Instead of going with the Cavs on such a small spread, Cleveland is +105 to win the game straight up. New York is -125 to win.
Boston aims for a 3-0 series lead
No matter who wins Friday night in New York, that series looks to be the most competitive in the East after Philadelphia took a 3-0 lead against Brooklyn, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s likely return against the Heat and the Celtics’ early domination against the Hawks.
Boston is up 2-0 on an overmatched Atlanta heading into Friday night’s Game 3 and is a 4.5-point favorite ahead of the first game in Atlanta. The Celtics are looking to extend a win streak against the Hawks that dates back to Feb. 13, 2022 when Boston…
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