Knicks vs. Cavaliers Prediction, Spread, Game 3 Picks – 5/23/26

Game 3 of the New York Knicks vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 23, televised by ABC. The Cavaliers are listed as 2.5-point favorites on the spread and return a 1.69x payout if they win on Saturday, via PrizePicks Team Picks.

Following the Cavaliers’ collapse in Game 1, surrendering a 22-point fourth-quarter lead, the Knicks cruised with a 109-93 win at home in Game 2. Cleveland, which is 6-1 in home playoff games, looks to get back on track in Rocket Arena on Saturday night.

Below, we'll break down our Knicks vs. Cavaliers prediction and picks for Saturday’s Eastern Conference Finals matchup, including the spread, over/under, and key player picks for PrizePicks.

Make your Knicks vs. Cavaliers picks on PrizePicks for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

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Knicks vs. Cavaliers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under for Game 3 – Saturday, May 23

The NBA injury report looks clean for both teams tonight. However, rumors continue to swirl around Cavaliers G Donovan Mitchell dealing with some sort of setback, though the star guard shot down that rumor following Game 2.

It could be something to monitor, but Mitchell remained productive with 26 points while shooting 44.4% from the field in Game 2 of the ECF. 

The Spida’s running mate in the backcourt, G James Harden, continues to struggle with a 35.5% field goal percentage and 26.7% mark on 3-pointers in this series. However, Harden did clean up turnover woes with 0 in Game 2, following his 6 turnovers in the series opener.

New York continues to get terrific play from its supporting cast, as G Mikal Bridges is averaging 18.5 PPG with an absurd 69.6% field goal percentage while draining 3 of 5 3-point shots (60.0%) in the ECF. Additionally, G Josh Hart erupted for a playoff career-high 26 points in Game 2.

According to NBA Advanced Stats, the Knicks sport the best net rating of the playoffs (18.8). Will the Cavs, who have a -0.8 net rating in the postseason (worst among active teams), find a way to overcome New York in Game 3?

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Spread, Over/Under for Game 3 – Saturday, May 23

The Cavaliers enter Saturday’s game as 2.5-point favorites at home against the Knicks, returning a 1.72x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks.

Here are the full payouts for the Knicks vs. Cavaliers game on PrizePicks.

• Spread: Cleveland Cavaliers -2.5 (1.81x payout)
• Over/Under: 216.5 (1.96x payout on Over)
• Game Winner Payout: Knicks 2.08x | Cavaliers 1.69x

Make your Knicks vs. Cavaliers prediction for the spread or over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money — available in 35 states!

Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Timeline

Here is the full Knicks vs. Cavaliers timeline, including the playoff series game-by-game and recent matchup history.

All-Time: Knicks, 137-112

Regular Season: Knicks, 2-1

Series: Knicks, 2-0

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Eastern Conference Finals Timeline, Schedule

• Game 1: Knicks 115, Cavaliers 104
• Game 2: Knicks 109, Cavaliers 93
• Game 3: Saturday, May 23, 8:00 p.m. ET in Cleveland
• Game 4: Monday, May 25, 8:00 p.m. ET in Cleveland
• Games 5-7 if necessary

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Knicks vs. Cavaliers Prediction on Over/Under for Game 3 – 5/23/26

Here are the key game stats and trends behind our Knicks vs. Cavaliers prediction for the over/under on Saturday, May 23.

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• New York’s 122.8 offensive rating and 119.0 PPG each rank second among 16 teams in the playoffs. Cleveland’s 111.8 offensive rating (sixth) and 108.9 PPG (fifth) aren’t too shabby either.
• This is further supported by Dunks & Threes ranking the Knicks (fourth) and Cavaliers (fifth) in the top five of adjusted offensive rating in the regular season.
• During the postseason, New York leads with a 51.4% field goal percentage, compared to Cleveland shooting 45.6% from the field (sixth).
• The Knicks top the playoffs with 54.5 points in the paint per game, and the Cavs’ interior defense has been shaky, yielding 50.0 paint points per contest (tied for 12th).
• New York has dominated around the rim with 59.0 points in the paint per contest in the Eastern Conference Finals.
• The 3-ball is something to watch, too, as the Cavaliers launch 37.8 triples per game in the playoffs (third). They’ve maintained that average by launching 42.5 attempts per contest in this series.

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Player Picks, Stats for PrizePicks – 5/23/26

Here are the top Knicks vs. Cavaliers picks to target on PrizePicks for Saturday, May 23. Today’s NBA picks for PrizePicks include OG Anunoby and Sam Merrill.

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Knicks F OG Anunoby vs. Cavaliers: 15 Points

• Returning from a hamstring injury in Game 1, OG Anunoby showed some rust by making only 2 of 9 field goal attempts (22.2%). He managed to post 13 points, boosted by 10 free throw shots.
• New York’s two-way maestro looked like himself in Game 2, making 5 of 8 shots (62.5%) while recording 14 points.
• Before injury, Anunoby was red-hot with 21.4 PPG, a 61.9% field goal percentage, and a 53.8% 3-point percentage over his first eight playoff games.
• Opponents have shot 36.8% from deep vs. the Cavaliers in the postseason (fifth-highest). 
• After making 2 of 4 shots from beyond the arc in Game 2, OG could torch this perimeter defense.
• Anunoby has logged 33.0 minutes per game since returning from injury, easing worries of a limited role in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Add OG Anunoby to your PrizePicks Lineup now.

Cavaliers G Sam Merrill vs. Knicks: 8.5 Points

• After missing a critical late-game 3-pointer in the series opener, Sam Merrill was ice-cold with 4 points while going 0 of 7 from 3-point land in Game 2.
• However, Merrill had plenty of good looks from beyond the arc. He shot 42.1% on triples in the regular season and remains efficient at 36.1% in the postseason.
• New York is playing with fire, giving up 36.2 3-point shots per game in the playoffs (fourth-most).
• Before Game 2’s poor showing, Merrill was on a hot streak with 15.0 PPG and a 47.6% 3-point percentage over a three-game span.
• Merrill has enjoyed 7.5 attempted treys per game in this series, elevated from 4.8 per game across the playoffs. 

Add Sam Merrill to your PrizePicks Lineup now.

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NBA Playoffs Live Picks: Knicks vs. Cavaliers on PrizePicks for Game 3

Here are some in-game angles to target for your Knicks vs. Cavaliers live picks in tonight’s game. 

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• The third quarter has provided double-digit margins in both matchups. In Game 1, the Cavs won the quarter 35-23, followed by the Knicks winning the third 32-21 in Game 2.
• After dominating the fourth quarter 32-18 in the series opener, New York won the final 12 minutes 24-23 in Game 2.
• The fourth-quarter result could remain a trend, as the Knicks’ 8.1 net rating (fifth) has a large cushion over the Cavs’ -13.1 net rating (14th) in the final quarter during the playoffs.
• According to inpredictable, Knicks G Jalen Brunson’s 36.3% 3-point percentage jumps to 45.5% in the clutch. Will Brunson produce another big fourth quarter from beyond the arc?

Make Knicks vs. Cavaliers Game 3 Picks on PrizePicks

No NBA team has won a playoff series with a 3-0 deficit, meaning this is a must-win for the Cavaliers. Cleveland trailed the Eastern Conference semifinals 2-0 before ultimately taking down the Pistons in seven games. 

Will the Cavs pull off another comeback in the ECF? The Knicks are 4-1 on the road during the playoffs.

Don’t wait until lock — make your Knicks vs. Cavaliers picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.

Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on game winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.

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