Knicks vs. Cavaliers prediction, odds, line, spread, time: 2023 NBA picks, Nov. 1 best bets from proven model

Madison Square Garden hosts a rematch on Wednesday evening between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. The two met on Tuesday in Cleveland, with the Knicks throttling the Cavs by an 18-point final margin on the road. The same two teams also squared off in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, with the Knicks advancing, and Cleveland aims for revenge on Wednesday. The Cavaliers are 1-3 this season amid injury concerns for Darius Garland (hamstring) and Jarrett Allen (ankle), who are both out, with the Knicks opening at 2-2 and list RJ Barrett (knee) as questionable.

For this game, SportsLine consensus lists New York as 6-point favorites, and tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 209.5 in the latest Knicks vs. Cavaliers odds. Before making any Cavaliers vs. Knicks picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five seasons. The model enters Week 2 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a 77-41 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Knicks vs. Cavs and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Cavs vs. Knicks:

• Knicks vs. Cavaliers spread: Knicks -6
• Knicks vs. Cavaliers over/under: 209.5 points
• Knicks vs. Cavaliers money line: Knicks -234, Cavaliers +193
• CLE: The Cavaliers are 18-23-3 against the spread in the last 44 road games
• NYK: The Knicks are 21-22-4 against the spread in the last 47 home games
• Knicks vs. Cavaliers picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why the Cavaliers can cover

Cleveland is leading the NBA in ball security to begin the season, committing only 11.5 turnovers per game. The Cavs are also near the top of the league in fast break points (16.5 per game), and Cleveland is coming off a 2022-23 season in which the team shot 48.8% from the field to rank in the top five. On defense, the Cavaliers have been even better over a large sample, leading the league in defensive efficiency (109.9 points allowed per 100 possessions) and assists allowed (23.0 per game) last season. Cleveland was also in the top five in 3-pointers allowed, turnover creation, and second-chance points allowed in 2022-23, and the Cavaliers are blocking 6.5 shots per game to begin this season. 

The Cavaliers should also benefit from the hiccups of New York’s offense, particularly when it comes to shooting inside the 3-point arc. The Knicks are currently last in the NBA in field goal percentage (41.3%) and 2-point percentage (44.4%), and New York is also No. 25 in the league with 22.8 assists per game. See which team to pick here.

Why the Knicks can cover

New York’s defense is off to a strong start in key areas this season. The Knicks are No. 3 in the NBA in defensive efficiency, giving up only 103.5 points per 100 possessions. New York is also in the top three in defensive rebound rate (77.8%) and second-chance points allowed (8.0 per game). The Knicks are holding opponents to 30.3% shooting from 3-point range, and New York gave up only 26% from 3-point range and 39% from the field to Cleveland on Tuesday. New York created 15 turnovers with only 19 assists allowed in Tuesday’s matchup, and the Knicks should also benefit from a scuffling, shorthanded Cavaliers offense.

Cleveland is No. 28 in the NBA in free throw attempts (17.3 per game), No. 25 in field goal percentage (42.7%), and No. 23 in 3-point percentage (32.5%). Last season, the Knicks led the league in points allowed in the paint (45.9 per game), with top-five marks in opponent shooting and fast break points allowed over an 82-game sample. See which team to pick here.

How to make Knicks vs. Cavaliers picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 221 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread has all of the value. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Knicks vs. Cavaliers, and which side of the spread has all of the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model on a 77-41 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, and find out.