NBA Odds, Best Bets and Expert Tips | May 22

I’m doubling up on this Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 with my NBA betting tips for Friday NZT. New York are in total control after one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history, and I don’t think Cleveland have an answer.

Knicks -6.5 | $1.90 @ Betista

A collapse like the one we say in Game 1 doesn’t go away overnight. Cleveland were up 22 in the fourth quarter and lost by 11 in overtime. Brutal.

I’d have backed the Knicks to cover in Game 2 regardless, but the manner of that result adds a psychological layer that can’t be captured by numbers. Jalen Brunson scored 38 and put 17 of them up in the fourth quarter and overtime alone, hunting James Harden on switches and punishing him every time. Harden went 5-of-16 with six turnovers.

New York are 23-3 at home when favoured by 6.5 or more this season. The Cavaliers had to survive two seven-game series just to get here, against Toronto and Detroit, and they had one day of rest before Game 1 tipped off. Their legs looked heavy by the fourth quarter and I don’t expect a dramatic physical recovery between games. 

I’m taking the Knicks to cover on legal betting sites, easy.

Under 214.5 | $1.90 @ VipLuck

The 115-104 scoreline from Game 1 paints a high-scoring picture. It wasn’t though - regulation finished 92-88 before overtime inflated the final number to 219.

Cleveland shot 40% from the field and 32% from three. New York were 4-of-23 from deep through three quarters before their fourth-quarter explosion. Neither team wanted to push the pace for 48 minutes, and I don’t see that changing.

I expect Game 2 to be tighter. Cleveland won’t blow another 22-point lead, which means they’ll either protect a cushion or never have one. New York’s defence has been stifling all postseason and OG Anunoby is available after recovering from his hamstring injury. 

On the live betting sites I use, 214.5 feels generous for a game where both teams tighten up after what happened on Wednesday.