SportsLine analyst tips high-scoring affair as Knicks and Cavaliers meet in Game 4
With the series level at two games apiece, the New York Knicks enter Game 4 as slight underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena.
SportsLine analyst Larry Hartstein has released his betting predictions for Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, recommending the over on the total points line of 218.5. The matchup between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, with the series currently tied at two games apiece.
Hartstein’s recommendation is grounded in historical trends and recent performance data. The over has hit in four of the six meetings between these two teams during the regular season. In Game 3, the teams combined for 229 total points, exceeding the previous line of 215.5. Both franchises ranked in the top eight in scoring throughout the season, combining for an average of 234.6 points per game.
The trend of high-scoring games has continued into the postseason. The over has hit in eight of the last 11 Cleveland games and seven of the last 11 New York games. The combined record for the over in the 2026 NBA playoffs for these two teams stands at 18-10. Hartstein expects a similar offensive output for Game 4.
On the spread, the Knicks are listed as 2.5-point underdogs by FanDuel Sportsbook. Hartstein has identified a critical x-factor influencing his spread pick, though the specific selection is not detailed in the source text. He is an 87-55 performer in his last 142 NBA player prop picks.
The Knicks enter this contest with momentum, holding a 10-game win streak after rallying from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win Game 1 in overtime. Games 2 and 3 were double-digit victories for New York. A win in Game 4 would send the Knicks to the NBA Finals for the first time this century.
