Thursday has 1 game on the NBA slate as the third full week of May 2026 marches on. It's Game 2 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks in the conference final round of the NBA Playoffs. New York leads the series 1-0.
Can the Knicks cover the 6.5-point spread as home favorites and take a 2-0 series lead? Will both teams combine to score enough to go over the total of 216.5 points?
I'll make picks for the spread and total below. Read on for our NBA Playoff Predictions May 21 article.
CAVALIERS VS KNICKS DATE, TIME & HOW TO WATCH | |
|---|---|
| Where | MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK, NY |
| When | THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026, 8 PM ET |
| TV | ESPN |
CAVALIERS VS KNICKS ODDS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
| CAVALIERS | 6.5 (-114) | +211 | U 216.5 (-103) |
| KNICKS | -6.5 (-105) | -230 | O 216.5 (-106) |
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CAVALIERS VS KNICKS WHO IS THE PUBLIC BETTING? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CAVALIERS | 49% | 51% | KNICKS |
See the latest NBA Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2 Spread Prediction
The New York Knicks are perfectly positioned to cover the 6.5-point spread as home favorites against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, thanks to their considerable momentum and Madison Square Garden dominance.
Currently riding a massive hot streak, the Knicks are 8-0 straight up and 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. New York thrives in this exact scenario, boasting an elite 27-15 ATS record as a home favorite and an impressive 37-26 ATS mark in conference games this season. They also consistently capitalize on momentum, sitting at 37-25 ATS following a win this year.
Finally, the Knicks' postseason intensity has been otherworldly, reflected in their dominant 8-3 ATS mark in playoff games this season. Take New York in MSG.
Pick: New York Knicks -6.5
Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2 Total Prediction
The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks are poised to smash the 216.5-point total Thursday night, driven by some significant scoring trends.
Cleveland consistently bounces back offensively, as the over is 20-16 in their games following a loss this season. The Cavs also push the pace away from home, as the over is 28-21 in their road games this season.
Meanwhile, New York regularly finds itself in high-scoring affairs when expected to win, with the over going 39-36 when the Knicks are a favorite. Recent form strongly points to a shootout, with the over hitting in 5 of the Knicks' last 8 games overall. What's more, the over is a profitable 4-3 in the last 7 matchups between these 2 teams.
Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Over 216.5
Today's NBA Playoff Predictions
- New York Knicks -6.5
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Over 216.5