Cleveland-Cavaliers vs New York Knicks February 21st 2025

At 7:00 ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers (-354) will host the New York Knicks (+282) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Cavaliers are favored by 8.5 points and have won five straight games. The Knicks are 3rd in the East and have won three straight.

This game will be played at Rocket Arena in Cleveland and can be seen on ESPN. The over/under line for the game is 239.5.

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Key Information

Sport: NBA
Teams: New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers
Where: Cleveland at Rocket Arena
Date: Friday, February 21st
Betting Odds CLE -8.5, NY +282 | CLE -354 O/U 239.5

The Knicks Can Win If…

The Knicks moved to 37-18 on the season with a 113-111 win over the Bulls on Thursday. New York was favored by 10.5 points at home but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 224, falling well short of the 245-point O/U line.

After trailing 21-19 in the 1st quarter, the Knicks took control by outscoring the Bulls 31-22 in the 2nd. Chicago fought back in the 3rd, winning the quarter 38-33, but New York entered the 4th with an 83-81 lead and held on, despite being outscored 23-21 in the final period.

Karl-Anthony Towns powered the Knicks to a win over the Bulls, finishing with 32 points and 18 rebounds. He scored 20 points in the 3rd quarter alone, adding 6 more in the 4th. Miles McBride contributed 23 points, hitting 5 threes at 41.7%, while Jalen Brunson added 22 points and 12 assists, scoring 13 of his points in the 2nd quarter.

The Knicks shot just 43% from the field and 30.4% from three, making 14 threes in the game. Mikal Bridges was key in the 4th quarter, scoring 9 of his 13 points in the final period.

Defensively, the Knicks were strong in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th quarters, allowing just 21, 22, and 23 points, respectively. However, they struggled in the 3rd, giving up 38 points. Overall, they held the Bulls to 39% shooting from the field.

New York sent Chicago to the line 12 times, where they made 10 free throws. The Knicks also gave up 19 threes on 39% shooting. They finished with 44 defensive rebounds, allowed 11 offensive boards, and recorded 10 steals and 7 blocks.

In their last ten games away from home, the Knicks have a straight up record of 8-2 while going 6-4 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 118 points per game in these contests.
Spanning across their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Knicks have gone 4-6 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 3-7.
Over their last three games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Cavaliers Can Win If…

The Cavaliers improved to 45-10 this season with a 110-97 win over the Nets on Thursday. Cleveland, favored by 12.5 points, covered the spread with the win. The game’s total points of 207 fell short of the 225-point over/under line.

Cleveland went on a decisive 13-0 run, stretching the score from 69-65 to 82-65. They closed out the game by outscoring Brooklyn 27-20 in the 4th quarter.

In the Cavaliers’ 110-97 win over the Nets, Donovan Mitchell led the way with 26 points, scoring 14 of those in the 3rd quarter. Darius Garland and Evan Mobley each added 18 points, with Garland also dishing out 9 assists.

Cleveland struggled from the field, shooting 42.6% overall and 28.2% from three-point range, hitting just 11 threes. Mitchell made 3 threes, shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc.

The Cavaliers’ defense was strong in their 110-97 win over the Nets, holding Brooklyn to just 97 points. They had a standout 1st quarter, allowing only 19 points, and finished strong in the 4th, giving up just 20 points. Cleveland’s defense limited the Nets to 40% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Cavaliers were even better, holding Brooklyn to 26% shooting and just 10 made threes. Cleveland sent the Nets to the line 19 times, where they made 11 free throws. Defensively, the Cavs recorded 8 steals and 5 blocks.

Across their last five home contests, Cleveland has been good against the spread posting a mark of 3-2. Their overall mark in these games was 5-0, while averaging 123 points per game.
Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Cavaliers have gone 7-3 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 9-1.
In their last five games, the Cavaliers have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

We’re calling a win for the Cavaliers, with a final score of 113-76, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Cavaliers at -8.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 239.5 and given that our model is projecting 189 points between the teams, we like the under.

Knicks vs. Cavaliers: Can New York Slow Down Red-Hot Cleveland?

Two of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference collide on Friday night as the New York Knicks visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in a battle of playoff-bound contenders.

The Cavaliers (39-17) have won five straight and nine of their last 10, asserting themselves as the top team in the East with a well-balanced attack led by Donovan Mitchell. Meanwhile, the Knicks (37-19) are on a three-game win streak and have won 10 of their last 12, despite dealing with multiple injuries.

Something has to give in this high-stakes showdown at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Cleveland: The Hottest Team in the East

The Cavaliers are rolling, and Donovan Mitchell is leading the charge.

The six-time All-Star dropped 26 points in Cleveland’s 110-97 win over Brooklyn on Thursday, his ninth game in this stretch with at least 25 points.

Mitchell’s supporting cast is also stepping up in a big way:

Evan Mobley (18 points, 13 rebounds vs. Nets) continues to dominate in the paint.
Jarrett Allen had 16 points and a season-high 20 rebounds, showing why he’s one of the NBA’s premier rim protectors.
Darius Garland added 18 points and 9 assists, proving to be a crucial floor leader.

Coach Kenny Atkinson praised his elite frontcourt duo of Mobley and Allen, calling them the foundation of Cleveland’s success.

“They are the base of this. (They are) two elite bigs in our league,” Atkinson said.

The Cavaliers have also been active in bolstering their roster, recently adding De’Andre Hunter via trade and reportedly set to sign Javonte Green after his buyout from the Pelicans.

“Adding Dre and Javonte will be very different for us,” Mitchell said. “But this isn’t 2K. You don’t just plug and play. We’ve got to see how it all fits.”

Meanwhile, Cleveland is getting healthier, with Dean Wade set to return after missing 11 games due to a knee injury.

New York: Overcoming Injuries to Stay Hot

Despite dealing with injuries to key players, the Knicks have been resilient, pulling off a 113-111 overtime win over the Bulls on Thursday.

Karl-Anthony Towns dominated with 32 points and 18 rebounds, continuing to prove he’s a major factor in New York’s success.
Miles McBride stepped up with 23 points, showing the Knicks’ depth.
Jalen Brunson delivered 22 points and 12 assists, continuing his All-Star level play.

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However, New York is still dealing with injuries:

OG Anunoby (foot sprain) missed his sixth straight game.
Josh Hart (knee soreness) was also out.

Coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized that the Knicks are taking a day-by-day approach with injuries.

“Going into the season, you know you’re going to hit stretches like that,” Thibodeau said. “If you’re available, great. If not, the next guy has to be ready.”

Key Matchups to Watch

Donovan Mitchell vs. Jalen Brunson

Mitchell torched the Knicks for 25 points in their last meeting.
Brunson led New York with 21 points and 7 assists in that game.
Both are dynamic playmakers, and whichever guard controls the tempo will have a major impact.

Evan Mobley & Jarrett Allen vs. Karl-Anthony Towns

Towns struggled in the last matchup, posting just 13 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out.
With Mobley and Allen playing at an elite level, Towns must find a way to attack the paint without getting into foul trouble.

Knicks’ Defense vs. Cavaliers’ Offensive Depth

Cleveland has multiple scoring threats, while New York is missing key defensive pieces like Anunoby and Hart.
If the Knicks’ defense can disrupt Cleveland’s rhythm, they’ll have a chance to steal a road win.

Prediction: Can the Knicks Stop Cleveland’s Momentum?

Both teams enter this game red-hot, but Cleveland’s depth, home-court advantage, and dominant frontcourt could be the difference. If Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen control the game, the Cavs should extend their winning streak to six. However, if Towns and Brunson can carry the load and New York’s defense steps up, the Knicks could escape with a hard-fought win.

Cleveland-cavaliers vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions February 21st 2025