Knicks vs. Cavaliers Game 2 NBA playoff odds, trends: Cleveland taking heavy action, bettors high on Julius Randle Over 8.5 rebounds

The New York Knicks took a heavy lean as 5-point underdogs at BetMGM for Game 1 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series in Cleveland, and the Knicks won outright 101-97. The Cavs are currently -6 for Game 2 on Tuesday, and they are taking the majority of action. The most-wagered player prop is on Knicks All-Star forward Julius Randle. Click here for model picks.

Cleveland opened at -4.5 and is up to -6 at BetMGM with 73% of the bets and 64% of the money coming in on the Cavs. The total has risen from 212.5 to 213.5 despite 58% of the bets and 70% of the money going to the Under

There is one key injury to note here: Reserve Knicks guard Josh Hart (left ankle sprain) has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable. Hart, acquired at the trade deadline from Portland, was great in the opener with 17 points, 10 rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes.

A big reason the Knicks dominated the regular-season series and won Game 1 was because their bench was so much better than Cleveland's. New York's reserves chipped in 36 points and a plus-44 rating on Saturday. The Cavs' counterparts totaled 14 points and were minus-36.

Another big reason for the Game 1 victory was a 51-38 rebounding edge for New York, led by 10 from Randle – who hadn't played since March 29 due to an ankle injury. He finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in Game 1, and his 10th and last rebound off a Jalen Brunson miss with less than 10 seconds remaining led to two clinching free throws from Quentin Grimes.

Randle Over 8.5 rebounds at -115 is the most-wagered player prop from this game, followed by Under 4.5 rebounds for teammate RJ Barrett and Over 24.5 points for Brunson, who had 27 in the opener.

Saturday was the first Knicks playoff road win since the 2012-13 NBA playoffs. They finished this regular season with the fourth most road wins in the Eastern Conference (24). Cleveland was -200 and New York +165 on the series line before Game 1, but the Knicks are now -160 and Cavs +135. The Cavs have won six series when trailing 0-1 in team history. 

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