Can Jalen Brunson come anywhere close to his epic 38-point performance in Game 1, leading the Knicks to an overtime win?
Jalen Brunson was the story in Game 1 of the NBA Conference Finals series between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday night, with the Knicks winning in overtime 115-104.
Brunson had 38 points, while Donovan Mitchell countered with 29 points for the Cavs. Brunson is averaging 28.4 points over the last ten games. Mitchell is averaging 27.9 points, and 4.5 rebounds, for Cleveland.
Going into Game 2 tonight, that’s the story: Can the Cavaliers find a way to contain Brunson, after their terrible collapse in Game 1, up 93-71 with 7:52 to play in regulation time, with the Knicks forcing OT.
Over the past 10 games, the Knicks are 8-2, averaging 120.6 points, 44.9 rebounds, 26.0 assists, 8.8 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 51.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 101.2 points per game.
Over that same period, the Cavaliers are 5-5, averaging 109.0 points, 42.7 rebounds, 22.8 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.1 points.
No injuries to report for either side.
Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, 26-16 away) at New York Knicks (53-29, 30-10 home), 8 p.m. EST, Madison Square Garden, New York
Best-of-7 series, Knicks lead 1-0
In NBA betting, at Betway, the New York Knicks are -200 on the Moneyline, the Cleveland Cavaliers +175. The Knicks are -5.5 on the Spread (-110), the Cavaliers +5.5 (-110). The Over/Under is 215.5 (O -105, U -115).
Cavaliers ATS +5.5 (-110)
This is a better option if you bet more on the conservative side, which I do.
I am favouring the Knicks to win, with eight-straight playoff games under their belt now, and the edge that comes with the Madison Square Garden crowd.
But not at that Moneyline number, which makes Cleveland against the spread the stronger move.
I think they make it closer tonight than Game 1 of the series seemed to suggest.
Over 215.5 (-105)
The Under would have cashed in Game 1 if the Knicks hadn’t forced overtime with their last-minute comeback.
However, even with Cleveland’s late-game collapse the two teams still combined for 219 points.
Two high-flying offences, pace higher than expected, with both teams’ generating quality perimeter looks, all point to tonight’s game hitting the Over.
Jalen Brunson To Get 25+ Points (-200)
Brunson dominated Game 1, dropping 38, and will get a ton of looks tonight. It’s early, but, all respect to Mitchell, it’s looking like Brunson will play out as the dominant player in the series right now.
That Points and Assists Over 33.5 prop for Brunson (-130) also has some appeal, watching him go nuclear in Game 1. Brunson finished with six assists to go with his 38 points in Game 1.
Jarrett Allen Points and Rebounds Over 19.5 (-120)
The Cavaliers are going to lean on him inside with Evan Mobley to counter Karl-Anthony Towns and control the glass, after they got out-rebounded in Game 1.
Allen has been a reliable double-double threat, especially on the road.
