The Cavaliers missed a golden opportunity to gain homecourt advantage when they squandered a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter on Tuesday. Now, back at home, they find themselves in a must-win situation as they are down 0-2 heading back to Cleveland. They will face a stiff test as the Knicks have won nine straight games and have only lost one road game this postseason. Donovan Mitchell and Sam Merrill are among the Cavs that will be needed to step up tonight.
Let's dive into my NBA Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide for Knicks vs. Cavaliers Game 3 on Saturday, May 23.
NBA Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide for Cavaliers vs Knicks Game 3
The Angle: Mitchell Helps Cavaliers Salvage Series
Donovan Mitchell 25+ Points
Donovan Mitchell has the third-highest home scoring average in NBA playoff history. The Cavaliers will need another scoring outburst from him to avoid a 0-3 hole. Fortunately, for them, he carries strong history against the Knicks.
Over his last 10 games against the Knicks, Mitchell is averaging 27.8 points per game. He has scored 25 points in nine of those games and 30 in three of them. He has scored 29 and 26 points in the first two games of this series.
In the playoffs, Mitchell is averaging 25.9 points per game, but that increases to 28.4 points at home. In the four games he has cleared 25 points at home this postseason, he also went over 30 points. I look for his fingerprints to be all over tonight's game.
Pick: Donovan Mitchell 25+ Points
The Correlated SGP: Cleveland Moneyline + Cavs Props
Jalen Brunson 30+ Points + Assists
In Game 1, Jalen Brunson took the game over down the stretch and finished with 38 points. He largely attacked James Harden in isolation and though Kenny Atkinson defended Harden publicly, he did not allow that to happen in Game 3.
The Cavaliers threw constant double teams at Brunson and he did not crack double digits until the fourth quarter and finished with 19 points for the game. He did, however, finish with 14 assists.
It was his first game with 10 assists this postseason. However, he has had six assists in nine of 12 games this postseason and is averaging 6.8 per game.
Brunson may not repeat his monster game as a facilitator, but every assist he gets will help him with his points and assists combo.
Brunson is averaging 34.3 PA this postseason and he has recorded 30 in nine of 12 games. Whether it is with 25 points and five assists or 20 points and 10 assists, I like him to get t0 30 tonight.
Pick: Jalen Brunson 30+ Points + Assists
Sam Merrill 2+ Made Threes
You have likely heard before that role players play better at home. We have seen that play out with Alex Caruso scoring over 30 points and making eight 3s while Josh Hart set his playoff career-high with 26 points in Game 2 of this series. While neither Caruso nor Hart would be considered a knockdown shooter, Merrill is.
Merrill played a major role in helping the Cavaliers build their big lead in Game 1, scoring 12 points, including 9 from behind the arc. He could not replicate that performance, going 0-for-7 from deep. However, the volume was still there.
Merrill has made two 3s in five of his last six games while averaging 2.3 per game. He has attempted at least five 3-point attempts in each of those games, which presents strong opportunities for a career 39.7% 3-pointer shooter.
Merrill may just be the next role player to go off on his home floor and we might see him knock down four 3s or more as he did in Game 7 against the Pistons.
Pick: Sam Merrill 2+ Made Threes
Cavaliers Moneyline
For the second straight series, the Cavaliers are in a 0-2 hole. With the Knicks having more offensive firepower than the Pistons, it may be more difficult for them to come back. However, any comeback attempt rests on tonight's game. Teams down 0-3 are 0-163 in the series in NBA Playoff history.
Though the Cavaliers are down 0-2 in this series, they have proven they can play with the Knicks, building a big lead in Game 1 and hanging for a half in Game 2.
In Cleveland, the Cavaliers have won each of the last three meetings in this series. They have won each of those games by 15 points or more, including a 109-94 victory in February after they acquired James Harden.
In addition to Mitchell, they may need to play through their bigs. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen have each been in double digits in each of the first two games and both have one double-double. However, Mobley had 14 points in Game 2 despite not attempting a shot in the second half.
Keeping him involved should help the Cavaliers and his passing may also give Mitchell a bucket or two.
Pick: Cavaliers Moneyline
Same Game Parlay Building Blocks (+342)
- Donovan Mitchell 25+ Points
- Jalen Brunson 30+ Points and Assists
- Sam Merrill 2+ Made Threes
- Cavaliers Moneyline
Compounding Angle (+2203)
- Donovan Mitchell 30+ Points
- Jalen Brunson 35+ Points & Assists
- Sam Merrill 4+ Made Threes
- Cavaliers Moneyline
