Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Cleveland Cavaliers pay a visit to the Big Apple on Wednesday to play the New York Knicks in the opening game of the 2025-26 NBA regular season for both teams. The Cleveland Cavaliers finished first in the Eastern Conference last season with a record of 64-18, but were eliminated in the conference semifinals. The New York Knicks finished last season 3rd in the Eastern Conference at 51-31 and lost in the Conference Finals. Cleveland will play without Darius Garland and Max Strus, while De’Andre Hunter is questionable. New York’s Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns are all questionable but expected to play. Make sure to read this in-depth Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks prediction. The court is calling! Discover our NBA picks for the Cleveland Cavaliers at the New York Knicks prediction and rule the game.
Cleveland's core returns from last season and two additions could put them over the top
Stars Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland (out), Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley return for Cleveland, while offseason acquisitions Lonzo Ball, Larry Nance Jr, and Thomas Bryant give the Cavaliers a very deep roster to begin this season. Cleveland drafted Tyrese Proctor and Saliou Niang with the 49th and 58th picks, respectively. Tristan Thompson remains an unsigned free agent for the Cavaliers. The acquisition of Ball from Chicago gives the Cavaliers a two-way playmaker to their backcourt, which will receive a test early as Garland will be out until at least early November, and Max Strus will miss at least the first month.
Cleveland lost Ty Jermone to free agency, but the addition of Larry Nance Jr gives them more depth on defense. Cleveland also has De’Andre Hunter back for his first full season with the Cavaliers after being acquired midseason last year. Mobley, maybe the ace in the hole for Cleveland, as the 7-footer is a rim protector, plays defense against guards, scores off the dribble, and runs the court as well as any other player on the roster, but does not receive the attention that other stars on the team do.
New York has legitimate hopes of winning the NBA title
The New York Knicks fell to Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, but have a legitimate chance to win the Conference title this season and play for the NBA title. Leader Jalen Brunson (26.0 points and 7.3 assists per game last season) returns, as does Karl-Anthony Towns, who last season played in his fifth All-Star Game. The trio of OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges is a tough, defensive-minded group that can lock down any wings or guards in the league. The Knicks added Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele while drafting Mohamed Diawara. Four players remained unsigned, including Precious Achiuwa and Cameron Payne.
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New York will open this regular season under new head coach Mike Brown with most of the core of the roster returning. The addition of Clarkson adds depth in the back court for New York, as he has led the NBA in points off the bench since 2020, while Yabusele averaged 11.0 points, shooting 50.1% last season for Philadelphia. Bridges is the ace in the hole for New York. The talented guard played under pressure all of last season after the Knicks gave up five first-round picks to the Nets, but he came through big during the postseason, and his defense will help contain the No. 1 or 2 guard each night.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Pick
Spread Pick for Cavaliers vs. Knicks
- Cleveland Cavaliers +3 (4 units)
This matchup could be a prelude to the Eastern Conference Championship Series in just the first game of the regular season, as both teams are expected to battle for the conference title. Cleveland will be without Darius Garland, but off-season acquisition Lonzo Ball should fit in seamlessly for the Cavaliers, while scoring leader Donovan Mitchell is back, as are Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. The Knicks have a new coach in Mike Brown so it will take some time to adjust to his style compared to the rigid Tom Thibodeau. However, Cleveland will start the season looking to avenge their exit from the playoffs and make a statement on the road with a win.
Over/Under Pick for Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
- Under 228.5 (4 units)
The New York Knicks have a trio of back court defenders that can make life miserable for any opponent and that will start on Wednesday when Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges will play tough defense against the Cleveland Cavaliers backcourt, creating fewer shot opportunities, more usage of the shot clock on each possession, and fewer possessions overall, resulting in the total finishing under the current closing line of 228.5.
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