There is a lot left to be sorted out before the first round of the NBA Playoffs, but one series is already set. The New York Knicks clinched the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference this week, setting up an interesting first round playoff matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks-Cavaliers series odds show the Cavs are early favorites to advance to the second round.
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Knicks-Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Odds: Cavs the Better Team?
Per DraftKings Sportsbook, the Cavaliers (-185) open as a slight favorite over the Knicks (+150) in the series. The two teams last matched up last Friday night, with the Knicks coming away with a 130-116 win over the Eastern Conference foe.
The Knicks-Cavaliers playoff series has many intriguing storylines, but perhaps the full-circle moment for Cavs point guard Donovan Mitchell takes the cake. Mitchell had been linked to the Knicks for the last few years of his run with the Utah Jazz. And when it was clear that Utah was placing the star on the trade block last offseason, the Knicks emerged as the most likely suitor.
Mitchell even admitted he was surprised when he was health to Cleveland and not New York.
“Once Rudy [Gobert] got traded, I kind of saw the writing on the wall. You know, I think we all did,” Mitchell said at his introductory press conference in Cleveland. “I think we understood we had a good run. I kind of had a feeling I was gonna get moved.
“Like I said, I thought it was New York, I’m not gonna lie to you. You know, obviously, who doesn’t want to be home next to mom? I haven’t lived at home since I was like an eighth grader, been at boarding school, and that would have been nice. For me, I once I found out I got traded [to Cleveland] and what we’re going into, like that trumped everything for me. Like I said, I’m truly excited to be here to be part of this group to be a part of the city.”
The consolation prize for the Knicks was free agent guard Jalen Bruson, whose performance has been nothing to scoff at through his first season in the Big Apple. Brunson has averaged 24.0 points per game, 6.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds, helping the Knicks to a strong 47-33 record.
Still, Knicks fans will be left wondering what could have been had they hauled in Mitchell last offseason. And based on the latest Knicks-Cavaliers series offs, Mitchell is expected to get the last laugh.
Bettors looking to get the best value on the NBA Playoffs should be sure to check out OddsShopper tools!
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