New York Knicks (47-35, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31, fourth in the Eastern Conference)
Cleveland; Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE: Cavaliers -5.5; over/under is 214.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Cavaliers host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers host the New York Knicks to open the Eastern Conference first round. New York went 3-1 against Cleveland during the regular season. The Knicks won the last regular season matchup 130-116 on March 31. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 48 points, and Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 42 points.
The Cavaliers are 34-18 in Eastern Conference games. Cleveland is 5-8 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Knicks are 32-20 against Eastern Conference opponents. New York is second in the league with 46.6 rebounds per game. Julius Randle paces the Knicks with 10.0.
TOP PERFORMERS: Evan Mobley is shooting 55.4% and averaging 16.2 points for the Cavaliers. Mitchell is averaging 27.3 points over the last 10 games for Cleveland.
Brunson is averaging 24 points and 6.2 assists for the Knicks. Quentin Grimes is averaging 4.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for New York.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 7-3, averaging 113.5 points, 38.8 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 6.6 steals and 6.5 blocks per game while shooting 49.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.6 points per game.
Knicks: 5-5, averaging 122.5 points, 43.5 rebounds, 27.5 assists, 8.5 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 50.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.3 points.
INJURIES: Cavaliers: Darius Garland: day to day (leg), Caris LeVert: day to day (knee), Isaac Okoro: day to day (knee), Donovan Mitchell: day to day (hand), Dylan Windler: day to day (foot).
Knicks: Julius Randle: out (ankle), Duane Washington Jr.: out (hip).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press
