Knicks vs. Cavaliers Prediction and Odds for Sunday, October 30 (Back Cleveland at Home)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are out to a hot start in the 2022-23 season, winning four straight games after dropping their season opener. 

The team has done it all without All-Star guard Darius Garland, who is dealing with an eyelid laceration that he suffered in the season opener. Garland is not expected to play on Sunday when the Cavs host the New York Knicks. 

New York is coming off a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night, but it sits at 3-2 on the season. Jalen Brunson has been key to New York’s success so far this season, averaging 18.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. 

The Cavs swooped in and stole Donovan Mitchell in a deal with the Utah Jazz even though New York was interested, so will there be a little extra motivation on either side in this game? 

Here are the odds for Sunday’s matchup between these two Eastern Conference foes: 

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Odds, Spread and Total

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Prediction and Pick

Mitchell and Caris LeVert went crazy in Cleveland’s last game against the Boston Celtics, leading the team to an overtime win. 

The Cavs are 4-1 against the spread this season, covering in each of their wins. The Knicks have failed to cover in back-to-back games after doing so in their first three games of the season. 

Cleveland is the better team, especially defensively, so far this season. The Cavs rank third in the NBA in defensive rating and seventh in offensive rating. New York hasn’t been bad, ranking ninth and 12th in those categories through five games. 

The Knicks struggled to shoot the ball against the Bucks, and with RJ Barrett in a brutal slump to start the season, I have a hard time backing New York against a strong Cavs offense. 

New York has yet to get a road win this season, so I’ll back Cleveland to cover the short spread at home on Sunday. 

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.