The Cleveland Cavaliers (50-31) and New York Knicks (28-53) get their Eastern Conference schedules started at Quicken Loans Arena. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Ohio at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.
New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Free Prediction
The Cavaliers have won two out of three against the Knicks this season, including a 14-point victory in their last matchup. Cleveland covered as a 12-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 232 points, which was 10.5 points above the projected point total of 221.5 points. The Cavaliers knocked down 24 of their 28 free throws (85.7 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (9.3 vs. 13.2). James recorded a double-double with 26 points and 11 assists.
The productive offense of Cleveland will face off against the porous defense of New York. The Cavaliers rank fifth in offensive efficiency, while the Knicks are 25th in defensive efficiency. The Cavaliers figure to have the advantage on that side of the ball. Furthermore, the Knicks, who rank 26th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.171), could struggle to get to the line against the Cavaliers, who rank second in opponents’ FTA rate (0.166).
New York comes into the game with records of 28-53 straight up (SU) and 37-44 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Knicks’ games have finished over the projected point total.
Cleveland is 50-31 SU, but they struggle covering the spread (32-48-1 ATS). Just over half of Cavaliers games have also finished over the projected point total.
New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers Free Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Knicks, ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
New York is 16-24 ATS on the road with 20 overs, 18 unders and 2 pushes.
Cleveland is 13-26-1 ATS at home with 20 unders, 19 overs and 1 push.
New York is 14-4 when they allow under 100 points, while Cleveland is 16-3.
The Knicks are 27-30 when they reach 100 points, while the Cavaliers are 48-18.
Cleveland ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (32.2) while New York ranks 29th (23.3).
The Knicks rank seventh in blocks per game (5.2) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (3.8).
Cleveland ranks 13th in fast break points per game (12.6) while New York ranks 29th (8.5).
The Knicks average 23.2 assists per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 27th in assists allowed per game (25.8).
New York averages 46.7 points in the paint per game, which ranks ninth in the league. Cleveland ranks 20th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.9).
The Knicks average 13.4 second chance points per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 17th in second chance points allowed per game (12.8).
Cleveland ranks 15th in points off turnovers per game (16.3) while New York ranks 23rd in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.3).
The Cavaliers rank 23rd in steals per game (7.1) while the Knicks rank 28th (6.7).
New York averages 44.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 13th in the league. Cleveland ranks 17th in rebounds allowed per game (43.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, New York is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.6, up from 3.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 116.4 points per game (5.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.8 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
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