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Best NBA prop bets today for Knicks vs. Cavaliers Game 1 (Donovan Mitchell goes off)

By Peter Dewey

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arguably the best first-round series in the Eastern Conference is between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, especially with the added element that both teams wanted Donovan Mitchell this past offseason.

Cleveland got the All-Star, and the team earned the No. 4 seed in the East, making it the favorite in this series.

If you’re looking to bet on Game 1, there are plenty of props that are available, but these are my three favorites for Saturday’s showdown:

Knicks vs. Cavaliers best NBA prop bets today

  • Mitchell Robinson UNDER 10.5 Rebounds
  • Donovan Mitchell OVER 29.5 Points
  • RJ Barrett UNDER 1.5 3-Pointers Made

Mitchell Robinson UNDER 10.5 Rebounds

Mitchell Robinson had 14 rebounds in his last game against Cleveland, but that came with Julius Randle (the Knicks’ leading rebounder) out of the lineup.

It also came with Jarrett Allen (Cleveland’s leading rebounder) on the sidelines. Robinson has just two games in his career against Cleveland with over 10.5 rebounds.

I’ll fade him in Game 1 with Allen back and Randle potentially returning.

Donovan Mitchell OVER 29.5 Points

Mitchell has two playoff runs where he averaged over 32.0 points per game, and he put up 38 and 42 points in his two home games against the Knicks this season.

The Cavs guard is the most experienced player in the rotation in playoff scenarios, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he takes it upon himself to lead the squad in Game 1.

Mitchell has 19 30-point games in 40 career playoff appearances. He’s a beast in the postseason, so I’ll ride with him to have a big Game 1.

RJ Barrett UNDER 1.5 3-Pointers Made

RJ Barrett’s shooting could be the reason the Knicks win or lose this series.

Barrett has played 20 games since the All-Star break, making multiple 3-point shots in just seven of those contests.

Over that 20-game stretch, Barrett is shooting 27.3 percent from 3-point range on five attempts per game. He is shooting just 31.0 percent from 3 on the season.

If Barrett doesn’t have his jumper, I can’t see him continuing to force up shots, and I doubt Tom Thibodeau gives him a long leash in such a big game. I’ll gladly go UNDER here.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.