SportsLine expert backs high-scoring affair in Knicks-Cavaliers Game 2
The Knicks enter Game 2 as 5.5-point favourites following their overtime victory, with historical trends pointing toward a high-total contest at Madison Square Garden.
SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein has released his betting predictions for Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, recommending the Over 216.5 total points for the matchup between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The recommendation comes as New York looks to capitalise on home-court advantage at Madison Square Garden, where they are currently listed as 5.5-point favourites by FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Knicks enter the contest with momentum after securing a 115-104 overtime victory in Game 1. New York overcame a 22-point deficit, utilising a 14-3 run in the extra period to seal the win. The Cavaliers, who finished second in the Central Division with a 52-30 record, now face the prospect of falling behind 2-0 in the series.
Hartstein’s analysis highlights significant statistical support for a high-scoring game. The Over has hit in three of the last four meetings between the two franchises. Additionally, the trend holds in seven of the last 10 Cleveland games and six of the last 10 New York games. During the 2026 NBA playoffs, the two teams have combined for a 16-10 record regarding the Over.
Offensive capabilities further underpin the prediction. The Cavaliers averaged 119.5 points per game during the regular season, ranking fourth-best in the NBA, while the Knicks averaged 116.5 points, placing 10th. Hartstein notes that Cleveland holds the fourth-highest Over rate among the 16 playoff teams, suggesting a likelihood of substantial scoring output on the scoreboard.
Hartstein, who recently tied for 52nd place in the 2022 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, brings an analytical approach honed at Pro Football Focus and a network of Vegas sources. He is currently 84-51 in his last 135 NBA player prop picks. While his specific side of the spread remains gated behind a link to SportsLine, his total points recommendation is publicly available for the Thursday night tip-off at 8 p.m. ET.
