New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, 5/23/2026 Preview and Pick

Game: New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026

Location: Rocket Arena in Cleveland, OH

TV: ABC

Odds/Point Spread: New York (+2.5)

The Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30) welcome the New York Knicks (53-29) at Rocket Arena on Saturday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. New York leads 2-0. Cleveland is 2.5-point favorites. The betting total is set at 213.5.

The Knicks ran away with a Game 2 win by a score of 109-93. New York ended with a 51.8% field goal percentage (44 of 85) and knocked down 13 out of their 36 3-point shots. From the charity stripe, the Knicks knocked down 8 of 14 tries for a percentage of 57.1%. With regard to rebounding, they collected 40 with 5 of them being on the offensive end. They also dished out 32 assists for the contest while forcing the opposition into 8 turnovers and having 5 steals. In the matter of defense, New York allowed their opponent to shoot 38.8% from the floor on 31 of 80 shooting. Cleveland doled out 15 dimes and had 4 steals in the matchup. Furthermore, Cleveland pulled down 42 boards (13 offensive, 29 defensive) and got 5 rejections. Cleveland finished the game shooting 68.8% when shooting free throws by burying 22 of their 32 shots. They converted 9 of their 35 attempts from beyond the arc. In reference to fouls, the Knicks finished with 22 and the Cavaliers finished the game with 20 fouls.

Josh Hart is one guy who played a role for the game. He ended up scoring 26 points on 10 of 21 shooting. He was on the hardwood for 33 mins and also grabbed 4 boards. Hart shot 47.6% from the floor and also distributed 7 assists.

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New York comes into this contest with a mark of 53-29 on the campaign. They currently have an average of 116.5 points per outing (10th in the league) on 47.8% from the field. The Knicks are shooting 37.3% on shots beyond the perimeter (1,168 of 3,133) and 79.2% from the free throw line. As a unit, New York is snagging 45.6 rebounds per contest and has accounted for 2,250 assists this season, which is 13th in the NBA in terms of passing. They cough up possession 13.6 times per game and as a basketball team are committing 20.0 fouls on a nightly basis.

When they are on defense, the Knicks are forcing 14.4 turnovers every game while drawing 19.5 fouls. They are giving up 36.2% from beyond the arc and they rank 5th in the NBA in PPG allowed (110.1). The Knicks are giving up a FG percentage of 46.0% (3,223 of 7,014) and they surrender 40.5 boards per game as a basketball team. They are currently ranked 6th in the NBA in allowing assists with 2,050 conceded for the campaign.

Cleveland was unable to make much of a game of it in Game 2. Concerning how they attacked the glass, Cleveland permitted New York to get 40 in all (5 offensive). They shot 36.1% from three-point range by going 13 out of 36 and walked away from this one shooting 8 out of 14 at the free throw line (57.1%). The Cavaliers allowed the Knicks to convert 44 of their 85 tries from the floor which gave them a percentage of 51.8% for the matchup. When the final whistle blew, the Cavaliers went 31 for 80 from the floor which had them sitting at 38.8%. When talking about shooting from beyond the arc, Cleveland buried 9 out of their 35 tries (25.7%). They were able to knock down 22 of them for a clip of 68.8%. The Knicks earned 22 fouls for the matchup which took the Cavaliers to the free throw line for 32 shots. They also turned it over 8 times, while getting 4 steals for this contest. The Cavaliers collected 29 defensive rebounds and 13 offensive boards totaling 42 in this game.

Donovan Mitchell was important for the Cavaliers for this contest. Mitchell earned 26 points in his 39 mins on the hardwood and had 1 assist for the contest. He converted 8 of 18 in the game for a field goal rate of 44.4%, and earned 4 rebounds.

Cleveland has a record of 52-30 for the year. On the offensive side of the ball, the Cavaliers are shooting 48.2% from the floor, which ranks 8th in basketball. Cleveland has scored 9,801 pts on the season (119.5 per contest) and they grab 44.4 rebounds per game. Their rate of earning assists is at 28.3 times per game (8th in the NBA) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 14.0 times per game. The Cavaliers commit 19.6 fouls per contest and they connect on 77.6% from the charity stripe.

The Cleveland defense concedes 37.2% on 3-pointers (1,163 of 3,127) and their opponents are converting on 79.4% of their shots from the free throw line. They have surrendered 26.9 assists and 43.2 total boards per game, which is ranked 16th and 12th in the NBA. The Cavaliers defensively are ranked 15th in the league in points given up per game with 115.4. They are forcing their opponents into 15.0 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 46.4% from the field (8th in the league).

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

Tony Sink's Pick: Take New York (+2.5)

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