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The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks meet on October 22 at Madison Square Garden to start the 2025-26 season. Cleveland is coming off a strong year but will be without Darius Garland, who is out with a toe injury. Donovan Mitchell leads the way for the Cavs, with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen holding down the frontcourt. Cleveland won the last matchup against New York, a close win at the Garden in October.
The Knicks return with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns as their main options, aiming to build on last season’s 51 wins. Depth and home support will be key as they try to flip the recent trend against Cleveland. With both teams starting fresh, this opener is a chance to set the tone for two Eastern Conference contenders.
Game Details
- Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+, and NBA League Pass
Recommended Bets and Updated Odds
| Category |
Bet |
FanDuel |
BetMGM |
| First Basket |
Jalen Brunson |
+500 |
+630 |
| Player Points 20+ |
Donovan Mitchell |
-460 |
-320 |
| Score 10+ |
Karl-Anthony Towns |
-5000 |
-3200 |
Analysis and Rationale
The Cleveland Cavaliers enters opening night without Darius Garland, who is sidelined after toe surgery, and Max Strus, who is also out until December. That leaves Donovan Mitchell as the clear offensive engine, supported by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen inside. The Cavaliers showed in preseason that they can dominate the paint, but their perimeter depth is thin, and scoring balance will be a concern against a Knicks team that thrives on pressuring guards.
New York comes in healthy, with Jalen Brunson leading the backcourt and Mikal Bridges adding two-way versatility on the wing. The Knicks’ preseason was uneven, but their defense at Madison Square Garden remains a strength, and they have more scoring options across the floor. Until the Cavaliers prove they can generate consistent offense without Garland and Strus, the Knicks’ depth and balance make them the safer side in this matchup.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Prediction
The game hinges on shot creation and shot quality. The Cleveland Cavaliers will lean on pick-and-rolls to get Donovan Mitchell downhill and to force help, aiming to generate corner threes and mid-post touches for Evan Mobley. New York’s best counter is to shrink the floor on the strong side, show early help at the nail, and live with contested pull-ups rather than paint touches.
If the Knicks keep Mitchell off the free-throw line and turn those screens into late-clock possessions, Cleveland’s efficiency dips. The other swing factor is glass control, as Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley can tilt second-chance points, but if New York keeps them to single possessions, the Cavs lose one of their pressure advantage.
New York’s offense should prioritize getting Jalen Brunson into switches and attacking, where his footwork creates high-percentage shots. If the Knicks’ wings space properly and cut behind ball-watching bigs, they can stretch Cleveland’s help and produce clean corner threes.
Prediction: New York Knicks to Win
Cavaliers vs Knicks Betting Odds and Spread
| Market |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
New York Knicks |
| Money line: |
+142 |
-168 |
| Spread: |
+4 (-110) |
-4 (-110) |
| Total: |
Over 229.5 (-110) |
Under 226.5 (-110) |
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Cavaliers vs Knicks Best Bets
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Bets
Evan Mobley – To Score 20+ Points (+132) Evan Mobley averaged just under 19 points last season and tends to see an uptick when Garland is out, as more touches funnel through him in the mid‑post and pick‑and‑roll. Against New York’s front line, he’ll have to work for looks, but the volume should be there. At plus money, this is a reasonable swing if you expect Cleveland to keep it close.
Donovan Mitchell – 3+ Made Threes (-200) Donovan Mitchell’s usage also skyrockets without Garland, and his three‑point attempts per game hover around double digits in those situations. The Knicks will likely load the paint to cut off-drives, which should leave Donovan Mitchell firing from deep. The leg is heavy, but it’s one of the safer props on the board.
Lonzo Ball – To Record 6+ Assists (+350) Lonzo Ball’s playmaking role is less consistent now, averaging around 3-4 assists per game last season. However, in games where he logs 28+ minutes, his assist numbers climb. At +350, this is a long‑shot value play that hinges on him getting an extended run and Cleveland hitting shots off his setups.
New York Knicks Player Bets
Jalen Brunson – To Score 20+ Points (-430) Jalen Brunson has been the Knicks’ most consistent scorer, averaging over 26 points last season and rarely dipping below 20. The line is heavily laced, but it reflects how reliable he is as a primary option. Against a Cavs backcourt missing Darius Garland, Jalen Brunson should control the tempo and get to his spots.
OG Anunoby – 3+ Made Threes (+136) Anunoby’s volume from deep has steadily climbed, and he averaged over six attempts per game last season. Cleveland’s defense tends to collapse on drives, which should leave OG Anunoby with clean looks from the corners. At plus money, this prop offers solid value if his shot is falling.
Karl-Anthony Towns – To Record a Double-Double (-170) Karl-Anthony Towns posted 52 double-doubles last season, and his rebounding presence alongside his scoring makes this a strong play. With Cleveland’s bigs focused on Evan Mobley and Allen, Towns should still find enough boards to pair with his usual 20+ points. The odds are shorter, but the consistency makes it one of the safer Knicks props.
The above odds are sourced from FanDuel. Use FanDuel to ace your betting game in all sports!
FAQs
Who is favored to win the Cavaliers vs Knicks game? The New York Knicks are listed as -168 favorites on the money line, while the Cleveland Cavaliers are +142 underdogs. The spread sits at Knicks -4, reflecting their home‑court advantage and Cleveland’s injury concerns.
What are the best player prop values for this matchup? For Cleveland, Evan Mobley to score 20+ points at +132 offers plus‑money upside, while Donovan Mitchell hitting 3+ threes at -200 is a safer play. On the Knicks’ side, OG Anunoby making 3+ threes at +136 provides value, and Karl-Anthony Towns recording a double‑double at -170 is a consistent option.
Which total bet looks most appealing? The line is set around 229.5 points. With Donovan Mitchell carrying Cleveland’s offense and the Knicks spreading scoring across Brunson, Bridges, and Towns, the over is in play if both teams push the pace. However, bettors who expect New York’s defense to control tempo may lean under.
Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.
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