Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau plays his starters heavy minutes. That’s a big reason why the Knicks are 2-10 ATS in the second game of back-to-back sets this season. Mikal Bridges logged 36 minutes against the 76ers on Tuesday, while Josh Hart and OG Anunoby both played at least 32 minutes. It won’t help their cause Wednesday that Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Mitchell Robinson and Cameron Payne are all out with injuries. The Knicks played the Cavaliers in Cleveland earlier this season, which was also the second game of a back-to-back set for them. They lost to the Cavaliers by 37 points. This is a tough spot for them to try and keep this rematch close.

I like this number for De'Andre Hunter against a depleted Knicks team playing in a back-to-back. Hunter has gone over this total in eight of nine games vs. New York. In his three games against the Knicks this season, Hunter has put up 24, 22 and 16 points (20.6 average). Hunter has scored at least 11 points in six of his last eight games. I like his chances to go over this modest total tonight.

The Cavs have enjoyed beating up on the Knicks and have to get their house in order vs. Eastern Conference teams with the playoffs looming. The Cavs are 13-4 ATS with rest advantage and NY is 2-10 ATS with no rest, 4-12 ATS with a rest disadvantage and they are 1-10 ATS vs top 5 teams; 7 of the losses are by 12+ points. They already have a 37-point loss to Cleveland and are dealing with injuries and have no bench to match the deep Cavs in a back-to-back. The Cavs just 2-7 ATS in their last 9 but like them to buck that trend back at home vs. a team they own.