Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks NBA Picks 2/28/2019

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Madison Square Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks on Thursday, February 28, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has New York as 3.5 point favorites.

The Cavaliers have a record of 14-47. They are 5th in the Central Division. They have a point differential of -9.9 as they average 103.4 points per game while giving up 113.3 per contest. The Knicks have an overall mark of 13-48. They currently are 5th in the Atlantic Division. They total 105.7 points per contest and give up 113.9, which is a point differential of -8.2.

Valuable Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 27-33-1 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 32-28-0 against the over/under

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 26-32-2 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 28-32-0 against the over/under

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

11/26/18 G JR Smith Possible Trade is out indefinitely
11/16/18 F John Henson Wrist is out indefinitely
01/25/19 F Tristan Thompson Foot is out indefinitely

Key New York Knicks Injuries

02/26/19 C DeAndre Jordan Ankle is questionable Thursday vs Cleveland
02/09/19 PG Frank Ntilikina Groin is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson averages 17.0 points per game in 26.9 minutes per contest. He averages 2.5 assists per contest and 3.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%. Collin Sexton comes into this contest averaging 15.0 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is at 85%.

Player Spotlight

Dennis Smith averages 13.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 28.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.0 rebounds per contest and 4.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 64%. Kevin Knox averages 12.6 points per game while playing 28.4 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per game and has 1.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 36% and his free throw percentage is at 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cavaliers allow 113.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 49% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 30th and 29th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.1 rebounds a game which ranks 10th, and they give up 25.3 assists per contest which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 12.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the league. Cleveland averages 103.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -9.9 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 28th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 43.0 rebounds per game and 21.0 assists per contest, which ranks them 25th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Knicks surrender 113.9 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 25.5 assists allowed per contest, and 29th with 47.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Knicks are 16th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.0 per game. New York is 26th in the league with 105.7 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -8.2. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 28th in the NBA. They are 21st in the league in rebounding with 44.6 boards per game and 30th in assists per contest with 19.9. The Knicks are 23rd in turnovers per game with 13.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 116.9, and their offensive rating of 106.6 is ranked 30th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 96.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 29th. As a unit they are 29th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA. Cleveland is 14th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 56%, which is 1st in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 23rd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 7th in the NBA. The Knicks are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 113.3, and their offensive rating of 105.2 is ranked 26th. They are 16th in the NBA in pace with 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 30th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 22nd in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Cavaliers/Knicks NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take New York -3.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald