Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions for Thursday, May 21, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Cleveland Cavaliers will be on the road again Thursday night for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals inside Madison Square Garden in New York City against the New York Knicks at 8:00 PM, and we have you ready to roll with our Cleveland vs New York prediction. Cleveland has fared well enough in the playoffs, winning 3 of the last 5 following their collapse in Game 1 of this series. The New York Knicks come into Game 2 as one of the hottest teams in the playoffs, riding a long winning streak dating back to the first round, following their come-from-behind victory in Game 1 Tuesday night. Read more about this Cleveland vs New York prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NBA Predictions!
Cavaliers hunt the bounce back
The Cleveland Cavaliers offense has been phenomenal this season, averaging 119.5 points on 48% shooting from the floor overall. Cleveland's scoring has been up and down as of late, averaging 118 points per game over their last 3 victories and 99 points per game across their last 2 losses. Offensively, Cleveland did score well in Game 1 of this series, pouring in 104 points on 40% shooting and 32% from beyond the arc, but the Cavaliers scored just 21 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, resulting in the loss. Cleveland pulled in 38 rebounds but turned the ball over 21 times in the game.
Donovan Mitchell led the scoring for Cleveland in Game 1 of this series with 29 points on 23 shots. James Harden and Evan Mobley tied for second-best on the roster, pouring in 15 points apiece. Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen were the 4th and 5th starters in double digits for Cleveland, scoring 10 points each. Sam Merrill led the way out of the Cleveland bench with 12 points on 9 shots in 28 minutes.
Key Injury Report for Cleveland:
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Knicks look to keep it rolling
Offensively, New York has been potent enough this season, averaging 116.5 points on 48% shooting from the floor, and the Knicks have averaged 122.4 points per game across their last 5 wins. Offensively, New York was up and down in Game 1, scoring 115 points on 48% shooting, and 31% from beyond the arc, including 69 points in the second half and overtime. The Knicks won the rebounding battle, pulling in 47, and made 21 free throws.
Jalen Brunson led all scorers in the game for New York with 38 points on 29 shots in 46 minutes. Mikal Bridges chipped in heavily with 18 points on 11 shots. OG Anunoby, Karl Anthony-Towns, and Josh Hart all added in for New York, scoring 13 points apiece. The New York bench combined to score 20 points on 14 shots between 5 players, led by Landry Shamet with 9 points on 4 shots in 17 minutes.
Key Injury Report for New York:
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Cleveland vs New York Pick
- Cleveland vs New York Spread Pick
The Cleveland Cavaliers limp into Game 2 after blowing a huge lead late in Game 1. The New York Knicks are red hot coming into this game, and will ride that hot hand into Thursday. Look for New York to control things on both sides of the ball as they do the job to get the win. Cleveland will compete start-to-finish in this matchup to keep things close and avenge their loss in Game 1. Take the New York Knicks on Thursday night to get the win, but the Cleveland Cavaliers will cover the big number.
- Cleveland vs New York Over/Under Pick
Both teams have potent offenses, and each has been scoring the ball well in the playoffs. The high scoring continued in Game 1 of this series and will carry into Game 2. Look for both offenses to again explode as each pursues the victory in this matchup. Take the over on Thursday night as the New York Knicks do the job to get their second win of the series.
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