Betting preview for Knicks at Cavs in Game 2

Most BetOnline customers probably did not expect the New York Knicks to march into Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and defeat the Cavaliers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. In fact, they didn't even know if their star player would be available. Yet he was, and they did. And now they have put the pressure on the Cavs, who have to win on Tuesday night in order to avoid having to go to Madison Square Garden down 2-0.

New York's 101-97 victory in Game 1 came despite shooting just 8-for-29 from three-point territory. But they got the job done on defense, holding Cleveland to just 43.4% overall. They were also relieved to have Julius Randle back in the lineup. The two-time All-Star forward had missed five games with an ankle injury and was thought to be questionable for this series opener. But he did indeed get the start and injected some energy into the situation. Randle ended up with 19 points and ten rebounds.

The unfortunate news for the Knicks was that one of their sparkplugs off the bench, Josh Hart, is listed as doubtful for Game 2 with a sprained ankle. That injury occurred toward the end of the contest, as he inadvertently stepped on Randle's foot, but not before hitting a key field goal that put New York ahead with less than two minutes to go.

Hart was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers at the trade deadline, and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has to find someone who can take his minutes - in the event he either can't play or won't be close to 100%. Most likely Quentin Grimes, who can do the job on both ends of the floor.

In the NBA playoff betting odds that have been posted on this game at BetOnline, the Cavs are the favorites:

Cleveland Cavaliers -6 (-107)
New York Knicks    +6 (-113)

Over 214 Points -110
Under 214 Points -110

Some of the people the Knicks counted on for scoring didn't have good outings in Game 1. RJ Barrett made just two of his 12 field goal attempts, and Imannuel Quickley, who has developed to the point where he is a Sixth Man of the Year finalist, missed all five of his shots from the floor. So it was a lucky thing that Jalen Brunson was able to tally 27 points. Brunson obviously has been able to take advantage of some holes on the Cavs' defense; the last time these teams met during the regular season, he ripped JB Bickerstaff's team for 48 points.

He may be in the process of frustrating Cleveland's best perimeter defender, Isaac Okoro, who said he fell for Brunson's "antics" during Game 1. What he meant, in effect, was that he went for too many fakes. Bickerstaff had his own take on the festivities, saying "We have to be more physical. It's that simple."

Here's what you worry about in a game like this - whether the Knicks may take their foot off the pedal a little, with the subconscious thought that they can afford to go to the Garden with a split on the road. They have actually been damn good on the road, however, and they are tied for being the NBA's best against the spread when visiting (27-14-1, which is just below 66%). So they can keep this one close.

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