Next defensive battle at the ‘Garden’?

The “Garden” makes its NBA playoff debut this year! After two games in Cleveland, the Knicks are making their first appearance in front of their own fans in the first round of the postseason. The yield after the games in Ohio also turns out satisfactory from the point of view of the hosts.

New York Knicks – statistics & current form

New York will rely on the home bonus against Cleveland. Against the Cavs, the Knicks have won six of the past eight home meetings. In the first playoff game of the season, the legendary crowd at the “Garden” will also provide plenty of support.

The home side’s personnel situation is also relaxed. All key players of the squad are available. Moreover, the hosts are defensively strong in the series: they allowed only 97 and 107 points to their opponents in the two completed games of the NBA Playoffs 2023.

Cleveland Cavaliers – statistics & current form

The verdict of a strong defense can be even more accurate for Cleveland. No more than 95.5 points they allowed on average in the two games against the Knicks.

Furthermore, Darius Garland has improved a lot lately. After the guard scored only 17 points in the first game, he scored 32 points in the second game – the best output of all players on the court.

New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers tip

For Game 3 between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, the prediction and odds offer less than 212.5 points. In the series, two defensively strong teams meet and the first two very physical duels already once reminded of the NBA basketball of the 1990s.

In addition, the guests even allowed their opponents the fewest points per game on average in the NBA within the regular season. Moreover, low results are nothing new in this pairing: only one of the past five meetings ended with more than 208 points, and the average in this review was no more than 204.4.