Tip‑Off: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse — Cleveland, Ohio
Broadcast: ESPN / MSG / Bally Sports Ohio
Series: Knicks lead 2‑0
Venue & Environment
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse remains one of the league’s loudest postseason buildings, and Cleveland enters Game 3 in a must‑win scenario. Historically, the Cavs are 14–3 at home in their last 17 playoff home games when trailing in a series. New York, however, has been one of the NBA’s best road teams all season, ranking Top 5 in road net rating.
Injury Report
New York Knicks
- Jalen Brunson — Probable (ankle soreness) Played through it in Game 2 and looked strong late.
- OG Anunoby — Out (hamstring) Expected to miss at least the first two road games.
- Mitchell Robinson — Out (ankle) Season-ending.
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Donovan Mitchell — Questionable (groin tightness) Played Game 2 but was clearly limited in lateral movement.
- Jarrett Allen — Probable (rib contusion) Expected to play but not at full physicality.
- Caris LeVert — Probable (knee soreness)
If Mitchell is limited again, Cleveland’s offensive ceiling drops dramatically.
Recent Form
New York Knicks
- Won 6 of last 7 overall
- Offense averaging 118.4 PPG over last 5
- Defense holding opponents to 44.1% FG in the series
- Bench has outscored Cleveland’s bench 74–41 through two games
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Lost 4 straight playoff games
- Shooting just 31.8% from three in the series
- Defensive rebounding has collapsed: Knicks +21 on the glass
- Mitchell’s limited mobility has stalled half‑court creation
Team Records
- Knicks: 2‑0 in series, 54‑28 regular season
- Cavaliers: 0‑2 in series, 51‑31 regular season
Key Player Matchups
Jalen Brunson (NYK) vs. Darius Garland (CLE)
- Brunson is averaging 29.5 PPG in the series
- Garland has struggled: 14.0 PPG, 38% FG
- Cleveland desperately needs Garland to be aggressive early
Julius Randle (NYK) vs. Evan Mobley (CLE)
- Randle’s physicality has dictated the paint
- Mobley has been excellent defensively but passive offensively
- Knicks are +19 with Randle on the floor
Josh Hart / Donte DiVincenzo (NYK) vs. Donovan Mitchell (CLE)
- Hart has been the series’ best perimeter defender
- Mitchell’s health is the swing factor
- If Mitchell can’t explode downhill, Cleveland’s spacing collapses
Isaiah Hartenstein (NYK) vs. Jarrett Allen (CLE)
- Hartenstein has dominated the offensive glass
- Allen’s rib injury has limited his physicality
- Knicks second‑chance points: +22 through two games
Series History
- Knicks lead 2‑0
- New York has won 5 straight playoff games vs. Cleveland dating back to 2023
- Knicks are 8‑2 in last 10 meetings overall
- Cleveland has not beaten New York at home in the playoffs since 1996
Betting Trends
New York Knicks
- 7‑1 ATS in last 8 playoff games
- 6‑2 ATS in last 8 road games
- Under has hit in 5 of last 7 Knicks playoff games
Cleveland Cavaliers
- 1‑6 ATS in last 7 playoff games
- 0‑4 ATS in last 4 overall
- Under is 4‑1 in last 5 Cavs home playoff games
Head‑to‑Head Trends
- Knicks are 9‑3 ATS in last 12 vs. Cleveland
- Unders are 7‑3 in last 10 meetings
Game Odds
New York Knicks 213.5
Cleveland Cavaliers – 2.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 22, 2026
