Two of the Eastern Conference's very best are set for a showdown on Friday night in Cleveland.
The pregame narrative: The Cavaliers host the New York Knicks in a game with solid scoring potential. I've got the over on a teased-down total in my +310 SGP, along with prop bets on Karl-Anthony Towns and Jarrett Allen.
Check out my Knicks vs. Cavaliers same-game parlay predictions for Feb. 21.
Knicks vs. Cavaliers predictions
Parlay: Over 234.5 points | Towns 2+ threes | Allen to record a double-double (+310)
Over 234.5 points (-210): This might seem like a lot to ask for, given that the Knicks and Cavaliers tallied just 214 points in their lone matchup this season.
But that came way back in October, and both teams' over/under track records make this number look perfectly attainable.
- Cleveland has hit the over 65.5% of the time (36-19-0, 1st in the NBA).
- New York has hit the over 59.3% of the time (32-22-1, 4th in the NBA).
Both teams played last night, and a lack of rest also bodes well for tonight's game to hit the over.
Overs are 7-1 this season when the Knicks are playing a back-to-back, per Team Rankings. And they're 8-3 when the Cavs are playing a back-to-back.
Also, prior to the all-star break, this over cashed in eight of the Knick's previous nine games — and in six of seven for the Cavaliers.
SGP legs
Towns 2+ threes (-180): A thumb injury hampered Towns' 3-point shooting last month, but it seems like he's much more comfortable shooting from deep now.
- From Jan. 20 through Feb. 3, Towns posted a 20.0 3PT% in seven games. He canned multiple 3s only once.
- Since then, Towns has 2+ threes in five straight games with a 48.5 3PT%.
Last night, Towns was a dreadful 2-for-10 from deep. But hey, he still cashed this bet. And the volume shows his willingness to put up shots, which is at least half the battle anyway.
On the season, KAT has hit this mark in 32 of 50 games (64.0%).
Allen to record a double-double (-124): Allen averages a double-double (13.7 points, 10.5 rebounds) and has cashed this bet in four straight games.
I'd be content riding with this as a straight wager, but it fits nicely into the SGP, too.
The 6-foot-11 centre had 16 points and 20 rebounds last night on hyper-efficient 8-of-9 shooting. He played just 25 minutes, which is a few less than average, so hopefully he'll have plenty in the tank for Friday.
In his lone matchup against the Knicks this year, Allen finished with 15 points and 15 boards in 31 minutes of action.
Picks made at 9:30 a.m. ET on 02/21/2025.
