Cleveland Cavaliers – New York Knicks: final tune-up before the Playoffs
The Cavaliers and Knicks meet tonight for their last regular-season clash, a final dress rehearsal before a possible playoff series in just over two months. The Knicks haven’t lost to Cleveland this season, but plenty has shifted since that Christmas meeting. This is a heavyweight test for both teams — and it matters for the standings, with just one game separating the clubs.
Cleveland Cavaliers: barging into the top-two race 
Since James Harden put on a Cavs jersey, Kenny Atkinson’s group have been rolling. In six games they’ve strung together five straight wins, including tight takes on the Nuggets (119-117) and Hornets (118-113). The Beard has slid in nicely — he’s syncing with Donovan Mitchell and already looking dangerous in pick-and-rolls with the bigs, Jarrett Allen in particular.
The recent loss to Oklahoma City (113-121), even against a shorthanded defending champion, was a blunt reminder there’s still work to do on both ends. The upside? 24 games left to fix things and hit the playoffs in form. With a near-full roster tonight (only Max Strus out), this is the ideal chance to snap back and chase that second spot behind the Celtics.
INJURY REPORT : Max Strus (OUT)
New York Knicks: finish the season sweep
After that surprise loss to a weakened Pistons side (111-126), the Knicks steadied the ship, taking a back-to-back over Houston (108-106) and Chicago (105-99). Mike Brown’s men grabbed some momentum, and they’ll need it — the next few weeks are brutal. Until March 9 they face a string of heavyweight matchups: a Bucks side finding form, then San Antonio, Toronto, OKC, Denver, and finally a Los Angeles back-to-back against the Lakers and Clippers. Not exactly a soft schedule.
The glass battle will be pivotal in Cleveland. Karl-Anthony Towns has been up and down this season; if he doesn’t show up, the Cavs could grab a big edge, or Mitchell Robinson will eat minutes. With only Miles McBride sidelined, New York can treat this as a useful playoff simulation — the standings stake should crank up the intensity.
INJURY REPORT : Miles McBride (OUT)
Probable starters
Cleveland Cavaliers : James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
New York Knicks : Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns
NBA Prediction Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks
Cavaliers to win
With two versatile top teams like Cleveland and New York, you can get any kind of game — tight and dirty or open and messy. Both squads have the pieces to survive either script. One thing won’t be missing: intensity, and the Cavs’ crowd. Cleveland have won 19 of 30 at home; the Knicks only 14 of 27 on the road. This will swing on tiny margins. Give the edge to Cleveland and the home court.
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