Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals was nothing short of a treat between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks. The affair required overtime and an insane 22-point rally in the 4th quarter by the Knickerbockers to send it to extra time. When the dust settled, the Knicks left the court with a 1-0 lead in the series and now Game 2 is set to take place under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. Will we be treated to another classic? Time will tell, but there is plenty of value to be found if you are looking to make a Same Game Parlay and get in on the action.
The action starts at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday and will be televised on ESPN. For Game 2, I have come up with my Cavs vs Knicks parlay picks, priced at +700 odds. The NBA postseason is reaching its climax, so I highly recommend you check out our NBA picks for all upcoming NBA playoff games. For now, though, let’s break down our SGP.
Karl-Anthony Towns – Over 5.5 assists (+122)
Under 213.5 (-105)
Donovan Mitchell – Under 26.5 points (-105)
Cavaliers vs Knicks parlay odds: +700
Cavaliers vs Knicks SGP pick: Karl-Anthony Towns – Over 5.5 assists (-105)
This is shaping up as a classic buy-low spot on Karl-Anthony Towns’ assist prop. Public perception is reacting heavily to Game 1, where Towns finished with only 5 assists despite the game extending into overtime. But that isolated performance ignores the broader playoff sample. In the four games prior, KAT recorded at least 6 assists in every outing, including a 10-assist performance in the closeout game against Philadelphia.
Game 1’s script also played unusually. The Knicks needed a barrage of perimeter shooting and late-game heroics to complete the comeback, naturally putting the ball in Jalen Brunson’s hands more frequently while shifting offensive creation toward guards and wings. That style pulled Towns away from his normal facilitating role within the offense. Historically, when New York plays downhill and attacks inside-out, Towns becomes a central hub as a screener and secondary playmaker. His ability to facilitate from the elbows and interior opens assist opportunities naturally. Expect the Knicks to return more toward that balanced offensive structure in Game 2, creating a strong opportunity for KAT to rebound statistically and clear this number.
Cavaliers vs Knicks SGP pick: Under 213.5 (-105)
The Game 1 final score can be misleading when projecting this matchup forward. Yes, the teams combined for 219 points, but overtime was required to get there, and it also took a dramatic Knicks rally fueled by unsustainably hot perimeter shooting late in the contest. For most of regulation, this game played exactly like a defensive playoff battle.
Selling a half point on the total from 214 to 213.5 eliminates the possibility of a push while improving the parlay return, and stylistically the Under still makes plenty of sense. New York has already shown it can dictate tempo and physically disrupt Cleveland’s offensive rhythm. The Cavaliers remain somewhat boom-or-bust offensively, especially when forced into difficult half-court possessions. Now that the Knicks have successfully cracked Cleveland’s defensive structure once, expect an even greater emphasis on slowing pace and controlling possessions. That naturally suppresses scoring opportunities on both ends. If New York imposes its preferred physical style again, this game profiles far more like a grind than a shootout. In that type of environment, the Under becomes the valuable side.
Cavaliers vs Knicks SGP pick: Donovan Mitchell – Under 26.5 points (-105)
This prop directly aligns with the expectation of a slower, more defensive Game 2. If the Knicks are able to dictate tempo and turn this into a physical half-court contest, Donovan Mitchell’s scoring ceiling naturally becomes more limited. That’s particularly relevant because this number has quietly inflated following Mitchell’s 29-point performance in Game 1, a total that required overtime to achieve.
Mitchell remains capable of explosive scoring nights, but recent playoff results suggest this line may be a touch high relative to expected game flow. Prior to Game 1, Mitchell recorded scoring totals of 21, 18, and 26 in three consecutive playoff contests. His 41-point eruption against Detroit in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals stands out more as an exception than the baseline expectation. The Knicks have consistently emphasized forcing difficult shots and crowding Cleveland’s primary creators. If they tighten defensively even slightly compared to Game 1, Mitchell can still play well overall without necessarily threatening 30 points. That’s what makes this number attractive, he doesn’t need to struggle for the Under to cash. A solid but unspectacular offensive performance likely gets it done.
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