NBA Basketball BETTING PREVIEW - New York Knicks @ Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA Basketball

2026-05-23 - New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers

A Sports Betting Preview by FirstDown

New York Knicks @ Cleveland Cavaliers
United States : NBA Basketball Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals Game 3
Saturday 23rd May 2026 - Scheduled 8pm EST
1am (British Time)

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Preview

There are recent Conference Finals trends that will give the Cleveland Cavaliers some confidence as they return home 0-2 behind in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals.

Teams that were blown out in Game 2 have been on a strong 9-2 run against the spread in Game 3, while this has usually been the time of the NBA Playoffs when those playing after a loss have recovered to cover in the next game.

Of course that did not happen for the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2, but you cannot ignore the fact that there was always going to be some kind of hangover having been on the wrong end of a historically big post-season collapse in Game 1.

The rally to win that game has given the New York Knicks confidence and they looked to be in much better rhythm all around in Game 2 as they took command of the Series and moved to two wins from returning to the NBA Finals in almost thirty years. There looked to be more energy in the New York legs in Game 2 as they produced a ninth straight Playoff win, but most impressive is that they won that one very differently compared with Game 1 and that makes the Knicks tough to stop.

Jalen Brunson took the team on his back in Game 1 and overpowered the Cavaliers down the stretch, but the best player on the Knicks team made the adjustments needed in Game 2. It was clear the Cavaliers were not going to allow Brunson to beat them again, but that did not stop the superstar having a huge impact on Game 2 with 19 Points and 14 Assists.

It was Josh Hart that the Cavaliers were allowing to have the open looks, but he punished them with a career best 26 Playoff Points and there was a strong balance from the five starters that ultimately proved too much for this Cleveland team.

The Cavaliers have been better at home, which will give them some belief they can return to Gotham with the Conference Finals tied up, but Donovan Mitchell looked to be playing through some kind of injury in Game 2 and his impact was not nearly as strong as it had been through three Quarters of Game 1.

Cleveland were better on the glass in Game 2 and they limited the Turnovers, but there was some tiredness in the legs of a team that have needed seven games to win the opening two Series and who had just blown the massive lead in Game 1 to fall behind. That tiredness was exposed in the second half and the Cavaliers did not shoot as well as they did in Game 1, while the New York Knicks were better from the Field as the rhythm returned to the shooters.

In the Second Round, Cleveland returned home having lost both games to the Detroit Pistons and they won the next three- the problem is that they are not facing an opponent who have been struggling Offensively, but instead they are up against a New York team that have impressed at both ends of the court.

You almost HAVE to expect better energy and intensity from the home team, but having a single day between games is tough in terms of the recovery time.

If Donovan Mitchell is not able to attack as normal, these Conference Finals may quickly get away from the Cavaliers and the last seven teams with a 2-0 lead at this stage of the post-season have produced a 4-3 record against the spread in Game 3.

All of the early money looks to be going on the home favourite, but the New York Knicks have the momentum and all of the talent needed to weather the expected early storm. Once again they could show off the power in the Fourth Quarter and the Knicks can be backed with a start with every reason to believe they can earn the 'upset' to move one game away from the Finals.

Prediction

Take the points with the road underdog in this Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Pick :

Cleveland Cavaliers 104-106 New York Knicks

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back New York Knicks + 2.5 Points at -105 with BetOnline