2026 NBA Eastern Conference finals odds, best bet: Cavs vs. Knicks picks by expert on 84-51 run

The New York Knicks will look to take a commanding series lead when they battle the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of their NBA Eastern Conference final best-of-seven series on Thursday night. New York rallied from a 22-point deficit to force overtime and then posted a 115-104 win in Game 1 on Tuesday. The Cavaliers (52-30), who placed second in the Central Division, are looking to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2017-18. The Knicks (53-29), who finished second in the Atlantic Division, are looking to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1998-99.

Tip-off from Madison Square Garden in New York is set for 8 p.m. ET. The Knicks lead the all-time postseason series 13-2, including wins in four in a row. The Knicks are a 6.5-point favorite in the latest Cavaliers vs. Knicks odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 214.5. 

Before making any Cavaliers vs. Knicks picks, you NEED to see the predictions from SportsLine's Larry Hartstein. 

Hartstein enters the day on a sizzling 84-51 roll on all NBA picks, returning $2,292 for $100 players during that span! Anyone following has seen HUGE returns!

Now Hartstein has studied Cavs vs. Knicks from every angle and locked in his picks. He's going Over on the point total, and he's also found a critical x-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. 

Who wins Cavs vs. Knicks, and what critical x-factor do you need to know about? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the spread you should be all over, all from the expert on an 84-51 roll on NBA picks!