Knicks vs. Cavaliers odds, line: Proven model reveals NBA picks for Eastern Conference Final Game 1 matchup on Tuesday, May 19

The Eastern Conference Finals get underway on Tuesday with the Game 1 matchup between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. The third-seeded Knicks (53-29) swept Philly in the East Semis and have won seven straight games in the 2026 NBA playoffs. No. 4 Cleveland (52-30) needed seven games to win each of its first two postseason series but has won two straight road games after starting the playoffs 0-5 on the road. New York won two of three meetings in the regular season.

Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Knicks are a 7.5-point favorite in the latest Cavaliers vs. Knicks odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 217.5.

Before making any Knicks vs. Cavaliers picks, you NEED to see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.

SportsLine's model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered the conference finals of the 2026 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 26-10 roll (72%) on top-rated NBA spread picks this season. Anyone following could have seen HUGE returns!

The model has simulated Cavaliers vs. Knicks 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is going Over on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time!

Who wins Knicks vs. Cavs, and which side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Cavs vs. Knicks spread you should be all over, all from the model on a 26-10 roll on top-rated NBA picks!