Cavaliers vs. Knicks Prediction: NBA Preview for Wednesday

The first full slate of the NBA season will take place on Wednesday, and the headliner is a matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks at 7 p.m. ET in Madison Square Garden on ESPN.

This is a matchup between the two best teams in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland was the No. 1 seed last year, while New York is coming off a trip to the conference finals. The Cavs are +220 to win the East this year, while the Knicks are +250. No other team is better than +550.

For the season opener, Cleveland is a short favorite at home. But I’m targeting a player prop for my Cavaliers vs. Knicks prediction.

Cavaliers vs. Knicks Prediction: Wednesday, Oct. 22

• Evan Mobley over 1.5 blocks (+110)

My favorite Cavaliers vs. Knicks prediction is the over on Evan Mobley’s blocks prop (1.5) for Wednesday’s opener in New York. I’m expecting a big year from Mobley, starting in Game 1.

Mobley is my favorite Defensive Player of the Year odds prediction, as I don’t believe last season was a fluke. He has a real chance to repeat, despite Victor Wembanyama entering the year as a -190 favorite.

In 2024-25, Mobley averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. He earned an All-NBA second team selection in his fourth NBA campaign.

All those numbers could improve this year. Basketball Reference projects Mobley to average 20.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks per 36 minutes this year. There is a real chance that Mobley will establish himself as the best player on the Cavs and be named to the All-NBA first team.

As a result, most of Mobley’s props could have value to start the year, particularly in this matchup. Mitchell Robinson didn’t practice on Tuesday, which suggests he might miss the opener on Wednesday. That’d be a big blow for the Knicks’ frontcourt.

Mobley played three games this preseason, recording six blocks in 77 minutes. The only time he didn’t clear this prop was when he played 18 minutes against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 7.

In a back-and-forth battle on Wednesday night, I project Mobley to play more than 30 minutes and record multiple blocks. I like targeting most of his markets this week, but I’ll start with the plus-money price on his blocks prop in Game 1.

Prediction: Evan Mobley Over 1.5 blocks (Pick made Tuesday)

Cavaliers vs. Knicks Odds for Wednesday

• Cavaliers spread: -1.5
• Knicks spread: +1.5
• Total: 228.5