Knicks vs. Cavaliers Prediction, NBA Odds & Best Bets (11/7)

Fact checked at 9:12 AM ET, Nov 7, 2026

Odds as of 8:07 AM ET, Nov 7, 2026

The Knicks (4-4) visit the Cavaliers (5-4) at 8:00 PM ET in Cleveland, their first meeting since last season's Eastern Conference Finals. New York is rested and defends as well as almost anyone, and Cleveland is short-handed on the second night of a back-to-back. We like the Knicks to win by more than a possession and to keep Donovan Mitchell under his scoring line.

Cleveland beat Philadelphia 119-95 at home last night. New York has had two full days off since a 135-105 win over Chicago. The Knicks have won four of five after an 0-3 start, and they allow 105.1 points a game; only Detroit allows fewer.

The Cavaliers are thin up front. Jarrett Allen sat last night with a right knee contusion and is expected to miss this one too. Sam Merrill left last night's game with a right elbow injury and is also expected to sit, and Jaylon Tyson (ankle) and Nae'Qwan Tomlin (back) are out. New York is without Josh Hart (right ankle), so Landry Shamet is projected to start again.

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Predictions

• Pick #1: Knicks -4.5 (-114)
• Pick #2: Donovan Mitchell Under 23.5 Points (-119)

PICK #1: Knicks -4.5 (-114)

When New York wins, it wins by six or more. That's been true all four times: 111-97 over Detroit, 133-127 at Chicago, 103-90 over Brooklyn and 135-105 over Chicago. All four losses were single-digit games. Tonight comes down to whether the Knicks win, and the setup points their way.

Cleveland got through last night without Allen by moving Evan Mobley to center. Asking for that again 24 hours later, against a team that hasn't played in two days, is a lot. New York has held five of its eight opponents to 106 or fewer.

The spread at -114 implies 53.3%. Bettors have piled in: 80% of spread bets and 98% of the money are on New York.

Cleveland is 4-1 at home and scores 119.2 points a game, fourth in the league, so a flat Knicks night could get punished. New York has also covered only twice in eight games. A surprise Allen return would close part of the size gap, but the Cavaliers would still be the tired team.

PICK #2: Donovan Mitchell Under 23.5 Points (-119)

Mitchell averages 22.6 points, about a point below this line, and he has finished under 23.5 in six of nine games: 22, 19, 22, 15, 17 and 23. His three overs were 32 in the opener at Philadelphia, 26 in an overtime win over Minnesota and 27 at Oklahoma City. At -119 the Under implies 54.3%, and he's gone over only a third of the time.

Last night is a good template. With Allen out, Mitchell went 7-of-18, 1-for-6 from three, and still needed 8-of-10 at the line to finish half a point under this number. Tonight he does it on no rest against a defense allowing 105.1 a game.

Mitchell's shot count is what could flip this. With Allen and Merrill expected out, Cleveland is short on scorers, and Mitchell could take on more of the offense. James Harden still runs the point, though, and the Knicks' defense is why we see a lower-scoring Cleveland night overall. Mitchell is projected to start.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.