Cavaliers vs. Knicks Predictions, Picks & Odds: NBA on NBATV, Today 4/11

While there are technically three days left of the 2024-25 NBA regular season, there are just two days of games left with the entire league off tomorrow. With all 30 teams on the court tonight, we’ve got plenty of matchups to check out, but with a potential playoff series preview, we’re focused on Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions.
Locking in the best Cavaliers vs. Knicks picks is a difficult proposition given the motivation levels here, but we’ll still share how to do so with the best prices on the market courtesy of Novig Social Sportsbook and their guaranteed new user bonus!
Cavaliers vs. Knicks Predictions for NBA on NBATV, 4/11
In terms of Cavaliers vs. Knicks matchups overall, these have been some of the most anticipated games of the entire season given that they’ve been at the top of the standings. However, given how the Eastern Conference has shaken out, it’s all but set in stone already.
Therefore, we saw the Cavs waste zero time announcing that they would be resting starters even before last night’s game against the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks were also just on the court last night against the Detroit Pistons, and both teams were on the road. With nowhere to go seeding-wise, how will they approach this matchup?
That’s the million-dollar question that we’ll break down to provide some suggestions for Cavaliers vs. Knicks picks.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Entering As The Top Dogs
With the Cavs having locked in the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference even before last night’s game, we fully expected to see them rest starters. They did exactly that, with the only one on the court for the opening tip that usually is there was center Jarrett Allen. Even with all their starters resting, they still got off to a halftime lead over a motivated Pacers team.
Regardless of the result of last night’s game, Cleveland has done nothing but prove their doubters wrong by leading the Eastern Conference the entire season over the defending champion Boston Celtics. Only the Oklahoma City Thunder will end the season with a better record after the Cavs look to close out with their second-most wins in franchise history.
New York Knicks: Last Chance Against The Best
Like the Cavs last night, the Knicks also got off to a strong start for a halftime lead over a playoff-caliber opponent in the Pistons. However, that has not been the question in New York this season - it’s their lack of success against the best teams. Many fans have heard all about it already, but the fact remains that the Knicks are 0-9 versus the best (Cavs, Celtics & Thunder).
They lost to Cleveland as recently as nine days ago. The larger issue is that New York hasn’t even been competitive. For example, their lat two games against the Cavs were losses by finals of 142-105 and 124-105. They’re also 0-3 against the spread versus the Cavs, and this is their last chance to prove themselves as contenders.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
Given that focusing all your energy on Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions may not be the case with all the moving parts, we’ve at least got you covered with the best prices possible since Novig is a peer-to-peer platform, meaning that it’s commission-free. So, here are the Cavaliers vs. Knicks odds at Novig:
- Point Spread: Cleveland Cavaliers +6.5 (-105) vs. New York Knicks -6.5 (-125)
- Money Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (+209) vs. New York Knicks (-240)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 227.5 (-105) vs. Under 227.5 (-121)
Cavaliers vs. Knicks Best Bet: Under 227.5 Points (-121 at Novig Social Sportsbook)
If there was ever a game where we’d explicitly state to not go all in with a pick, it’s tonight’s Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions. Predicting with certainty how these teams will handle this matchup can’t be done until nearly gametime, but there’s no reason to expect anything different than last night.
In other words, both teams being more concerned with staying healthy over anything else. The Cavs went all in on that concept, so we are supremely confident that they will do the same tonight. While the Knicks gave some of their stars more playing time, even with the recent return of Jalen Brunson, we still aren’t concerned.
After all, even when they were going 110% against Cleveland, you saw how poorly they performed in the scores we noted above. For the full sample size, the third game that we didn’t note, the Knicks scored just 104 points. Of course, we aren’t the only ones who understand what less superstars on the court means.
However, we simply don’t think this total can be adjusted enough. While last night’s games may not have featured record-low totals, keep in mind that these are about to be guys who don’t get nearly this many minutes in general, and will now be on a back-to-back.
That gives us even less confidence that they can get off to the hot starts that they did last night. Again, this should be considered more of a lean if you aren’t all in with us, but we’ll still take the best bet from our Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions on the under 227.5 points (-121 at Novig).
Cavaliers vs. Knicks Injury Report & Starting Lineup
Ok, this is where things get tricky, as if they weren’t already. Technically speaking, you’ll see the rested players we’ve been mentioning on the Cavaliers vs. Knicks injury report, but it’s just that - rest for the postseason.
With that said, we still could see plenty of switch ups before the opening tip, so it’s important to realize that when we say PROJECTED lineups, they’re just that. Based on what we saw last night, here’s what we can “expect” to see:
CLE Cavaliers:
- Ty Jerome
- Sam Merrill
- De’Andre Hunter
- Dean Wade
- Jarrett Allen
NY Knicks:
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Player News
Anthony Davis (adductor) and Brandon Williams (oblique) are probable for Friday’s game against the Grizzlies.
Davis was listed as probable Wednesday against the Kings, but ultimately played 35 minutes and had 27 points in the win. The 32-year-old is once again listed as probable with the adductor injury that sidelined him earlier this season. Davis figures to be available as the Mavericks battle the Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the Western Conference on Friday.
Ja Morant (ankle) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Mavericks.
Morant told reporters after Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors that he expects to play Friday. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old point guard missed practice Thursday and is officially listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain. While it’s hard to envision Morant sitting out a game of importance like Friday’s, his ankle is clearly bothering him. If Morant is out, Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will be in line for extra minutes with Kennard potentially moving into the starting lineup.
Trae Young (Achilles) is probable for Friday’s game against the Heat.
Even in the postseason, the Hawks continue to list Young as probable with an Achilles injury. The listing is performative, stemming from Young being held out of an NBA Cup game earlier this season despite not appearing on the injury report, which resulted in a $100K fine for the Hawks. With the Hawks’ season on the line Friday, expect Young to be cleared to play once again.
Pelle Larsson (ankle) and Nikola Jovic (hand) are questionable for Friday’s game against the Hawks.
No big surprises on the Heat injury report heading into Friday’s game. While Larsson and Jovic are questionable, Duncan Robinson (back), Alec Burks (back) and Haywood Highsmith (Achilles) are all available. Larsson was questionable, but ultimately available against the Bulls Wednesday, though he didn’t play due to coach’s decision. Jovic was out Wednesday as he hasn’t played since February with a broken right hand.
Ja Morant (ankle) missed practice on Thursday and will be a game-time decision against the Mavericks on Friday.
Morant finished out Tuesday’s game against the Warriors after injuring his ankle during overtime and said after the game that he will play on Friday. It’s difficult to imagine him not suiting up for a win-or-go-home game, but the ankle is clearly bothering him quite a bit, which could impact his performance on the court. If something changes, Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will take on extra minutes, with Kennard potentially replacing Morant in the starting unit.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication.
Charania also reported that this is an incredibly quick recovery for Lillard that was made possible by early treatment. It is an excellent development for both Dame and the Bucks. He has been ruled out for Game 1 against the Pacers on Saturday, and they will give him time to ramp up before he returns to the lineup. It’s unclear what that timeline looks like, but Lillard is certainly on pace to return sooner rather than later. Ryan Rollins should continue to start in place of Dame until he returns.