Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Game 4: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (4/23/23)

After an impressive game two performance, the Cavaliers fell flat on their face in a game three loss as the Knicks defense suffocated them to submission. Unable to find any sort of offensive consistency, the Knicks thoroughly dominated the game from start to finish. Down 1-2, the Cavs backs are against the wall as a +3 underdog heading into game four, per DraftKings sportsbook. Defense will be poised to take center stage once again as we are in for a potential slug fest.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Prediction

Defense has been the main theme in this series as we have witnessed some low scoring affairs. The opening total indicates that we are in for another one and I fully agree as the Knicks defense has answered the challenge after the Cavs made their adjustments in game two and gave it right back to them in game three. They held Darius Garland to 4/21 shooting for a total of nine points while also holding the team as a whole to below 40% shooting.

Mimicking the Cavs game two gameplan, the Knicks defense threw bodies at the perimeter and forced the ball out of their playmakers hands while daring them to attack their interior. When the Cavs attacked the interior, the Knicks would clamp down behind them while their bigs crept up to put a hand in their face. This forced the Cavs into uncomfortable, havoc filled situations where they coughed up the ball for a total of 20 turnovers.

Should the Knicks run the same defensive scheme and force the Cavs to beat them with low quality mid-range shots and low-quality interior looks then the under is in good position to cash. Especially if they can force turnovers, stalling out their scoring opportunities and grinding the game to the halt on the other end. Especially with their lack of perimeter shooting and tendency to let their sets develop in the interior, attacking with drives to the basket which results in scoring lulls with Mobley and Allen playing as two elite defensive bigs.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Betting Odds

With their backs against the wall, oddsmakers believe we are in for a tight one as they opened the Cavs as a +3 underdog in game four. Bettors believe in their chances of tying up the series, taking the Cavs down to +2.5 as of writing. While it’s projected to be a close contest, we have yet to witness one as both teams have traded comfortable wins in the series so far. Old school basketball fans have been in love with these performances, reliving the glory days of low scoring defensive minded basketball.

As for the total, oddsmakers believe we are in for another low scoring affair as they opened the number at 207.5. Bettors were quick to back the under, taking it down to as low as 206.5 in some shops. This comes as no surprise after two high quality defensive performances, both scheming around getting the ball out of each other’s scoring threats and forcing a secondary scorer to beat them from over the top.

Betting Trends

• Cavaliers are 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings against each other
• Cavaliers are 2-5 ATS in the last seven meetings in New York
• Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings overall

Key Matchups

Can Darius Garland round back into game two form?

Darius Garland Vs. Knicks perimeter pressure

Darius Garland is the deciding factor in this series for the Cavs success as he is the next man up when the Knicks defensive pressure attacks all world talent Donovan Mitchell. When Garland runs cold then the Cavs offense mightily struggles as that was made apparent in their game three loss.

What was encouraging is that Garland was still able to generate open looks throughout the contest during his cold shooting night. Regression is due to bounce back towards his favor, breathing life back into the Cavs chances of tying the series up.

Verdict

Take the under at no lower than 205.5 as both defenses are poised to anchor down once again in their efforts to force each other’s secondary scorers to generate looks at the rim.

Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineup

PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Isaac Okoro
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen

New York Knicks Starting Lineups

PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Quentin Grimes
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson

Key Injuries

Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries: N/A

New York Knicks Injuries: Quentin Grimes (Q)