Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV: ESPN
This is a quick rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finalists (Knicks swept the Cavs in the 2025-26 ECF). The Knicks won the first meeting of this season 109-97 in Cleveland on November 7/8, with Jalen Brunson scoring 31 and Karl-Anthony Towns adding 29 points and 13 rebounds; Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 37.
Recent Form
Knicks: 6-4 overall (4-2 home). They have won four straight and six of seven after an 0-3 start. Most recent result: 117-85 home blowout of Milwaukee on November 10. Strong defense (holding opponents to ~102 PPG, among the league’s best) and rebounding have fueled the surge. Average margin in wins has been large.
Cavaliers: 5-6 overall (struggling on the road at roughly 1-4). Recent results include a 119-95 home win over Philadelphia, the 97-109 loss to New York, and a 112-124 road loss at Charlotte on November 9/10. Offense has been decent (~116 PPG), but defensive consistency and rebounding have lagged in losses.
Knicks are playing the second night of a back-to-back; Cavs had a day of rest after the Charlotte game.
Injury Reports
Cleveland:
Sam Merrill: Out (right elbow injury management)
Nae’Qwan Tomlin: Out (low back stress reaction)
Jaylon Tyson: Questionable (right ankle sprain)
Khalifa Diop and Ernest Udeh Jr.: Out (G League assignments)
Jarrett Allen has been available recently after earlier knee concerns.
New York:
Josh Hart: Out / Day-to-Day (ankle soreness/illness; has missed recent games, including vs. Milwaukee). Other key pieces appear healthy.
Projected/Likely Starting Lineups
Cavaliers: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen.
Knicks (Hart out): Jalen Brunson, Landry Shamet (or Mikal Bridges in a wing role), Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Jalen Brunson vs. Donovan Mitchell / James Harden: Brunson (leading Knicks at ~25.9 PPG) has been excellent in the rematch potential; Mitchell (~22.8 PPG) dropped 37 in the last meeting but Cleveland needs secondary creation. Harden provides playmaking (~5.7 APG).
Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Evan Mobley / Jarrett Allen: Towns (~20.9 PPG, 13.8 RPG) dominated the boards and scored efficiently last time. Mobley (~17.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG) and Allen (~13.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG) must contest interior and clean the glass better.
OG Anunoby / Mikal Bridges vs. Peyton Watson and Cleveland wings: Anunoby’s two-way impact and Bridges’ versatility will test Cleveland’s perimeter defense and transition.
Rebounding and second-chance points favored New York heavily in the first meeting; that battle remains critical.
Series History / Head-to-Head
Knicks won the most recent meeting (109-97 on Nov 7/8). They also swept Cleveland in the prior season’s Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland has struggled against New York lately in both regular season and postseason.
Betting Trends
Knicks have been solid at home and on recent form. Cavs have underperformed ATS early. The total sits near recent scoring levels for both sides. Back-to-back fatigue for New York could keep the game closer than pure form suggests.
New York’s defense, home-court energy at MSG, and experience edge from the recent win and championship pedigree should carry them, even on a back-to-back. Cleveland’s star power (Mitchell, Harden, Mobley) can keep it competitive, especially with rest, but consistent execution against the Knicks’ frontcourt and Brunson has been elusive. Expect a physical, competitive Eastern Conference battle with New York pulling away late.
Game Odds
Cleveland Cavaliers 222.5
New York Knicks – 4.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Tuesday, November 10, 2026
