The Eastern Conference Finals shifts to Cleveland for Game 3, with the Cavaliers desperately needing a win to keep the series alive against the Knicks.
New York Knicks @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland have been outstanding on their home floor throughout the playoffs, and they’ll need that trend to continue after dropping the opening two games in New York.
The Cavs will still feel they should be returning home with the series tied after blowing a 22-point lead late in Game 1.
Now facing a 0-2 deficit, Game 3 becomes a must-win if Cleveland are to keep their NBA Finals hopes alive.
Leg 1 - Mikal Bridges Over 13.5 Points
Mikal Bridges had a difficult start to the playoffs and struggled badly during the Atlanta series, but his form has improved significantly over the last two weeks.
Bridges is averaging 18.7 points across his last seven games and has cleared this line in six of those appearances.
That includes both games against Cleveland in this series.
The Cavaliers adjusted heavily toward stopping Jalen Brunson in Game 2, repeatedly over-helping and forcing the ball out of his hands.
As a result, Bridges benefited with 19 points while finding more open looks in the half court.
Leg 2 - Jarrett Allen 10+ Points
Jarrett Allen doesn’t need a massive scoring night to clear this line.
The Cleveland centre has scored double-digit points in nine of his last 11 games, with one of the misses coming in a game where he played just 18 minutes.
Allen has now reached 10+ points in five consecutive games and draws a favourable matchup against Karl-Anthony Towns inside.
On Cleveland’s home floor, expect the Cavaliers to establish Allen early around the rim.
Leg 3 - Jalen Brunson 6+ Assists
Cleveland’s defensive strategy in Game 2 created plenty of assist opportunities for Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks star finished with 14 assists as the Cavs repeatedly trapped him and forced the ball into the hands of New York’s secondary scorers.
Brunson isn’t naturally a huge assist producer, but his recent numbers have still been very solid.
Across his last 25 games, he’s averaging 7.5 assists and has recorded 6+ assists in seven of his last eight outings.
Given the Cavs are likely to maintain the same defensive approach, another strong playmaking game looks likely.
Same Game Multi
Bridges Over 13.5 Points / Allen 10+ Points / Brunson 6+ Assists = $3.40
Value Bet
When Cleveland fell behind 2-0 against Detroit earlier this postseason, Donovan Mitchell responded with massive performances on his home court.
He dropped 35 points in Game 3 before backing it up with 43 in Game 4.
Mitchell has now scored 30+ points in six of his last nine home games and has still played well despite Cleveland’s 0-2 deficit in this series.
After averaging 27.5 points across the opening two games against New York, expect Mitchell to take over offensively in Game 3.
