The league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers look to make it 2-0 vs. the New York Knicks this season.

Catch the game tomorrow at 8:00 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: New York Knicks (37-18, 17-8 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Jalen Brunson
  • OG Anunoby
  • Josh Hart
  • Mikal Bridges
  • Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks are coming in hot, having won 10 of their last 12 games. On Friday, they outlasted the Chicago Bulls in overtime, 113-111, with all five starters reaching double figures, Karl-Anthony Towns (32 pts, 18 rebs) and Jalen Brunson (22 pts, 12 ast) each recording a double-double, and Miles McBride (23 pts, 3 stls, 3 blks) having a big night.

Six Knicks had double-digit points in their first encounter with the Cavs early on the season, despite a 110-104 defeat. As always with this feisty squad, though Towns and Brunson are the 1-2 punch, their co-starters can also be expected to contribute well, most especially Josh Hart, who’s been obliterating the stat sheet this season, with 25 double-doubles and seven triple-doubles – he did sat out on Friday, and it’s unclear if he’ll be available for tomorrow. Regardless, Anunoby, Bridges, McBride, among others, should be ready to fill the void.

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HOME: Cleveland Cavaliers (45-10, 25-4 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Darius Garland
  • Donovan Mitchell
  • DeAndre Hunter
  • Evan Mobley
  • Jarrett Allen

The Cavaliers are 9-1 over their last 10 games, continuously flexing their top record and elite-rated offense, ranking top two in points per game and offensive rating for pretty much the entire 2024-25 campaign thus far. 

On Friday, the Cavs made easy work on the Brooklyn Nets, 110-97, as Donovan Mitchell gave buckets (26 pts), twin towers Evan Mobley (18 pts, 13 rebs) and Jarrett Allen (16 pts, 20 rebs) each had double-doubles, and facilitator Darius Garland (18 pts, 9 asts ) made his usual playmaking. More of the same can be expected tomorrow, especially since the same four lifted the team over the Knicks last October. Garland did lead the way as a slight change, with 34 points on 12-of-19 shooting.

Resident ‘3 and D’ guys DeAndre Hunter and Max Strus, who are also no slouches when attacking the basket, could factor in copnsiderably as well. They pose an intriguing matchup opposite the Knicks’ wings.

PICKS:

Spread: Knicks (+8)

Over/Under: Over (241.5)

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