Knicks vs. Cavaliers Betting Preview for April 11, 2025
The Knicks look to secure a vital win against the Cavaliers, who have dominated them this season. Discover predictions and key betting insights.
The New York Knicks have one last opportunity to secure a regular-season victory against one of the two teams ahead of them in the Eastern Conference when they face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their final home game on Friday.
The Knicks, holding a 50-30 record, lost their previous three meetings with Cleveland, which boasts the best record in the East at 63-17. They are also 0-4 against the Boston Celtics. Key injuries for Cleveland include Donovan Mitchell (ankle), Darius Garland (toe), Evan Mobley (rest), and Max Strus (knee), who were all sidelined in their last match. The Knicks are also managing injuries, with Jalen Brunson (ankle), Karl-Anthony Towns (knee), Josh Hart (knee), and OG Anunoby (thumb) as questionable for this pivotal contest.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are favored by 7 points according to the latest odds with an over/under set at 226.5 points. New York has the money line set at -181 while Cleveland stands at +153.
Here’s a breakdown of notable betting lines:
- Spread: Knicks -7
- Over/Under: 226.5 points
- Money Line: Knicks -181, Cavaliers +153
Cleveland’s Strengths: The Cavaliers have posted an 8-1 record without Mitchell this season, with five wins coming by double digits. Cleveland has maintained a robust record thanks to its depth, which has kept them at the top of the NBA standings.
Effective scoring is Cleveland’s strategy, averaging 122.2 points per game. Their last outing was a close 114-112 loss against the Pacers, where they rested some starters.
New York’s Chances: The Knicks are still in a battle to secure the No. 3 seed, currently leading the Pacers by just one game. Their recent form shows a 7-4 record over their past 11 games as they seek to achieve their best win total since 2012-13.
An essential aspect of this game will revolve around injuries and key players returning from the sidelines as starters will significantly influence the game’s dynamics and outcome.
How to Bet: The model used by SportsLine has simulated this game 10,000 times, projecting over 231 points, with high confidence of a specific side covering the spread. For further details on betting lines and predictions, visiting SportsLine is recommended.
