Cavaliers vs. Knicks prediction: New York to win, Jalen Brunson projected for big game in Game 2 of ECF 2026
Get Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks predictions for NBA Playoffs Thursday.

The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers will meet in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, starting at 8:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulations and today’s injury reports, Dimers' proven NBA model predicts the Knicks as the most likely winner of the Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2 matchup.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Knicks lineup will feature players like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, while the Cavaliers will rely on Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley.
This article offers further insights into Thursday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Cavs vs. Knicks prediction: Who will win Game 2?
Our famous predictive model gives the Knicks a 71% chance of beating the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. Our predicted final score in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals has the Knicks winning 110-104.
According to our model, the Knicks (-5.5) have a 51% chance of covering the spread, while the 215.5-point over/under has a 51% chance of going over.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2 odds
We have researched the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Cavaliers | Knicks |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +5.5 (-108) | -5.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | +184 | -218 |
| Total | o215.5 (-106) | u215.5 (-112) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks picks and best bet for Game 2
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Knicks -5.5 | -110 |
| Moneyline | Knicks | -218 |
| Total | Over 215.5 | -106 |
According to our best NBA bets for Thursday, the top play to make on this game is Knicks to win.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2 player props
NBA player props are a common way to wager on the Cavaliers vs. Knicks game without necessarily betting on the outcome. We use the best information available to project how each team's leading players will perform at Madison Square Garden.
Donovan Mitchell is expected to lead the Cavaliers with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, while Jalen Brunson is projected to have 26 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists for the Knicks.

Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Cavaliers prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Cavaliers are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Mitchell | 26 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 44 |
| James Harden | 19 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 42 |
| Evan Mobley | 16 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 38 |
| Jarrett Allen | 13 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 29 |
| Sam Merrill | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 18 |
Knicks prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Knicks:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | 26 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 46 |
| K. Towns | 19 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 46 |
| OG Anunoby | 17 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 32 |
| Mikal Bridges | 15 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 29 |
| Josh Hart | 11 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 31 |
Cavs vs. Knicks Game 2 updates and essential details
Thursday's Game 2 between the Knicks and Cavaliers in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals is scheduled to commence at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
- Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: Madison Square Garden
- NBA Playoffs bracket: Updated NBA Playoffs bracket and schedule
The winner of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals will advance to the NBA Finals. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series between the Cavaliers and Knicks is at New York's Madison Square Garden.
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Conclusion
We predict the Knicks, with a 71% win probability, will likely beat the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals.
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