📹 NBA Play of the Day: Cavaliers vs. Knicks -5.5 (WATCH)

I am backing the Knicks to cover against the Cavaliers in my NBA Play of the Day for Thursday, May 21
New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) reacts after a basket as we break down our NBA Play of the Day.
Pictured: New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) reacts after a basket as we break down our NBA Play of the Day. Photo by Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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My NBA Pick of the Day for Thursday, May 21, expects a big performance out of the Knicks in Cavaliers vs. Knicks.

This matchup tips off at 8 p.m. ET, with ESPN broadcasting the game live from the Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. The Knicks are favored by 5.5 points, and the total is set at 215.5.


📹 NBA play of the day: Knicks -5.5

Here is our NBA play of the day featuring Cavaliers vs. Knicks. For more picks, follow @AlphaDogBets and @SBRReview on X.


💰 Cavaliers vs. Knicks best bet

See all of our experts' NBA picks for today's slate.

The New York Knicks are in a strong position to cover -5.5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight after a historic comeback in Game 1 and continuing to dominate at Madison Square Garden this postseason. New York’s physical defense and rebounding edge have created major problems for Cleveland, while the Knicks’ depth has consistently worn teams down late in games.

With the Cavaliers now facing pressure on the road and the Knicks playing with confidence offensively, this matchup sets up well for another strong home performance. If New York controls the pace again, they should win comfortably and cover the number tonight.

Confidence rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Units: 1


💡 How I'm handicapping Cavaliers vs. Knicks

I’ve committed 1.1 units to Wednesday's Spurs vs. Thunder matchup, aligning with my standard bankroll approach for games I’ve carefully broken down.

I emphasize disciplined unit sizing, particularly on larger slates.. With five total plays on the board, this wager accounts for 20% of my daily exposure. Maintaining a structured bankroll strategy is essential for long-term success - it’s a foundational part of how I operate. Proper management helps me handle variance while protecting my bankroll. By staying consistent and disciplined, no single outcome can disrupt my process, keeping everything steady, controlled, and focused on sustained profitability.


⚖️ Video Play of the Day record: 27-25

We have started tracking every Video Play of the Day, opening with a 27-25 record for even units. Now, we’re looking to build with another NBA Video Play of the Day and keep stacking units. 

Bet type Record Units
NBA picks 21-20 +.6 units
College basketball picks 5-3 +1 unit
MLB picks 1-2 -1.6

📊 Live Cavaliers vs. Knicks

Here are the live Cavaliers vs. Knicks odds; see all of our NBA odds here.


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