2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks vs. Cavaliers, Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 Best Bets & Player Props (May 19)

Did you know there's another NBA Playoff series scheduled for this month? You may not realize it in the wake of the incredible Game 1 between the Spurs and Thunder out west on Monday.

But yes: we have another basketball game tonight, and this one could be labeled "The Underdog Series." The Knicks are the No. 3 seed, and the Cavaliers are the No. 4. This isn't the matchup most hoops experts expected for the Eastern Conference Finals, but it's got fans in New York and Cleveland amped up.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Oddsmakers list the Knicks as favorites for this series and Game 1. But, we don't care about underdogs and favorites, we're going all-in on player props for this series opener.

• GAME 1 DETAILS: Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 Best Bets: Knicks vs. Cavaliers

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Knicks vs. Cavaliers Game 1 Odds

Odds used in this section are from DraftKings.

• Cleveland Cavaliers (+215) at New York Knicks (-265)
• Cavaliers (+7.5 | -115) at Knicks (-7.5 | -105)
• Over 217.5 Points (-110), Under 217.5 Points (-110)

Injury Report for Knicks vs. Cavaliers

• Cavaliers: Larry Nance Jr. is Questionable (illness)
• Knicks: OG Anunoby is Probable (hamstring)

Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 Best Bets: Knicks vs. Cavaliers Player Props

I have three player prop bets for New York vs. Cleveland Game 1:

Donovan Mitchell points prop bet

It feels like this postseason, at least on the eastern side, is becoming a showcase for Donovan Mitchell. Before April, most NBA fans probably knew of Mitchell, but they probably didn't have a strong image of the player. He has been an All-Star seven times, but may be the most anonymous 7+ time All-Star in league history.

In Game 7 of the semifinals against Detroit, Mitchell poured in 26 points in just 31 minutes on 10-for-22 from the field. He didn't simply rely on jump shots: Mitchell exploded for 15 points in the third quarter, nine of them coming from drives to the hoop or the foul line.

I wanted to go head-to-head: Mitchell vs. Jalen Brunson in points, but there weren't great odds at any of the sports betting apps on that market. Instead, I'm going straight points over 26.5 for the Cleveland star. I'll go one full unit, or $112 to win $100.

• Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 Points (-112 from DraftKings)

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Brunson and Knicks to be rusty in Game 1? Nope

The last time the Knicks played a game, Dwight Eisenhower was president. Go Ike! Ok, not exactly. But it has been nine days since the Knicks have worn shorts under the bright lights of the NBA Playoffs.

Will the Knicks be rusty? It's probably overblown a little bit. After all, teams get a chance to recoup from injury with days off. The Knicks have played 10 games this postseason, while the Cavaliers have played 14. Cleveland is coming into Game 1 with only one day of rest.

Focusing on Knicks guard Jalen Brunson: Game 1's have been very good to him. In his last six Game 1's, Brunson is averaging 35.3 points. Maybe there's something to his surprisingly explosive first step and physical strength in the paint, even against bigger players? Opposing teams may not be prepared in an opening game to tackle the challenge that is Jalen Brunson.

• Jalen Brunson Over 27.5 Points (-120 from BetMGM)

My $120 bet will be worth $100 if Brunson scores at least 28 points on Tuesday night against the Cavs.

Harden has nothing to lose in Eastern Conference Finals

The complicated career of James Harden will be fascinating to analyze for years and years after he retires. No other MVP and NBA superstar has been so simultaneously impressive and disappointing. "The Beard" has three scoring titles, the one MVP, a 6th Man of the Year Award, and he'll end his career someday as one of the top 10 scorers in league history.

But, as Charles Barkley and others have pointed out, Harden usually becomes "Mr. Invisible" in the postseason: he has 31 games in the NBA Playoffs where he recorded more turnovers than field goals made. And then there's his defense: the next time Harden squares up against a defender and makes a good play will be the first time ever.

But, this postseason with his sixth team, Harden almost doesn't seem to care about his history. He's launching on the offensive end, and side-stepping his man on the defensive side. He understands his role. He knows what his legacy is. He knows what people think of him. And it's like "Facial Hair Don't Care," for this new Cavalier.

All we need is two made threes from Harden BEFORE any other player Tuesday night. In his last five playoff games, Harden is 14-for-40 from beyond the 3-point line. He shot 43.5% from outside the arc for Cleveland in the regular season.

I'm going one-half unit ($50) on this player prop. My winning bet would be worth $252.50.

• Race to 2 Three-Pointers: James Harden (+505 from DraftKings)