The Cleveland Cavaliers (7-1) moved two games clear in the Central Division standings with a narrow four-point victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. The Cavaliers will look to stretch that advantage even further when they face the New York Knicks (4-5) at the famed Madison Square Garden tonight.
Who will emerge victorious in this Eastern Conference clash? Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this NBA matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between the Houston Rockets and the Denver Nuggets.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Preview
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
When: Friday, November 13, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (-6) at New York Knicks (+6); total: 201.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers (7-1)
The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to seven games with a thrilling 118-114 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night. LeBron James led the way for the Cavs, scoring a season-high 31 points and dishing out eight assists. The five-time MVP has been solid on both ends of the floor for Cleveland, averaging 25.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.6 assist and 2.1 steals this season.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Key to the Cavs’ hot start has been their phenomenal offense. Cleveland is averaging a whopping 104.1 points per game this season, sixth-best in the NBA. The Cavs have scored more than 100 points in six of their last seven outings. That offensive firepower was in full display against Utah on Tuesday where they shot a solid 50 percent from the field. What made that performance so impressive was that the Cavs pulled it off against the league’s best scoring defense.
They will look to replicate that performance when they take on the New York Knicks later tonight. The Cavs will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing a Knicks side that’s allowing 100.8 points per game this season, 15th in the entire NBA. They will also take comfort in the fact that they have fared extremely well against the Knicks on the road of late. The Cavs have won their last three games against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
For the Cavs to extend that dominance tonight, they will need Mo Williams and Kevin Love to continue their fine play. Williams scored a season-high 29 points on 8-of-9 shooting on Tuesday to mark his third 20-point performance in the last five games. Love, on the other hand, has recorded five double-doubles during the Cavs’ winning streak and is averaging 17.6 points and 12 rebounds on the season.
The Cavs are 2-1 SU and ATS on the road this season.
Betting on the New York Knicks (4-5)
The New York Knicks had their two-game unbeaten run snapped on Tuesday with a gut-wrenching 95-93 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. It was a disappointing loss for the Knicks who squandered a 10-point fourth-quarter lead. The Knicks have now lost their last four games against the Hornets.
The Knicks will look to get their season back on track when they face the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. For the Knicks to record a major shock this evening, they will need Carmelo Anthony to step up his play. He scored just 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting against the Hornets. Anthony is shooting just 39.4 percent from the field this campaign.
Anthony may be struggling right now but the same can’t be said about star rookie Kristaps Porzingis. He has been superb for the Knicks lately, recording double-doubles in four of New York’s last six games. He scored 10 points and grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds in the loss to Charlotte. He could have been the hero in that contest but his three-pointer at the buzzer was nullified by the game officials.
Another player who’s expected to play a key role for the Knicks tonight is Arron Afflalo. The 30-year-old made his team debut on Wednesday after sitting the Knicks’ first eight games with a hamstring injury. He scored 12 points in 28 minutes of action against the Hornets.
The Knicks are 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS at home this season.
