ESPN's basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you lock in daily fantasy and betting decisions for that night's games. Here you'll find our top insights for the slate, including players to target for your daily fantasy rosters, along with game-by-game injury reports.
What you need to know for Thursday
Game 1 between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers had everything expected from the Eastern Conference Finals. Star power, matchup hunting, tactical adjustments ... and a collapse Cleveland will be thinking about for a long time. The Cavaliers controlled much of the night and led by 22 points with less than eight minutes remaining, only for the Knicks to storm back behind Jalen Brunson and steal an overtime win at Madison Square Garden.
Now Game 2 becomes a test of response. The Knicks enter with momentum, eight straight wins and a formula that worked late, especially when Brunson repeatedly attacked James Harden in pick-and-roll actions. The Cavaliers must now decide how to adjust defensively, whether to find more answers on Brunson and how to keep its offense from going stagnant in crunch time. Donovan Mitchell played well, the Cavaliers generated quality looks and they had Game 1 within reach. But after letting it slip away, Thursday night becomes about composure, corrections and whether Cleveland can avoid falling into a 2-0 hole.
Let's dig further into the matchups to identify some betting angles and DFS value picks for tonight's action.
Moody's Bets for Thursday
Evan Mobley over 27.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-110)
Mobley looked like the best frontcourt player on the floor in Game 1. He has cleared this line in four of his last five playoff games while averaging 12.8 field goal attempts, 17.0 rebound chances and 7.6 potential assists per game during that span. The Knicks had trouble dealing with Mobley and Jarrett Allen on the glass in Game 1, and that should remain a point of emphasis for Cleveland. The Cavaliers should be motivated to respond after their Game 1 collapse, putting Mobley in a strong position to clear this line again in Game 2.
OG Anunoby 20+ points and rebounds (-126)
After missing the final two games of the second round with a left hamstring strain, Anunoby returned to the court in Game 1 against the Cavaliers. Even though he did not clear this line in Game 1, he has met the threshold in eight of his last 10 games. Anunoby has averaged 11 field goal attempts and 11 rebound chances per game during that span. He should remain heavily involved in the Knicks' rotation after averaging 33.1 minutes per game over that same stretch.
Sam Merrill over 2.5 3-pointers (+140)
The Knicks like to pack the paint defensively, which can create 3-point opportunities on the perimeter. Merrill has cleared this line in two consecutive games and in two of four games against New York this season. He has also attempted 65 3-pointers in these playoffs and has made at least two in five straight games. The volume should be there for Merrill, and it's worth noting that he has cleared this line in 31 of 56 games this season in which he has played at least 20 minutes.
Top Daily Fantasy Values of the Day
$8,100+ Salaries
Jalen Brunson, PG, New York Knicks ($10,400)
Brunson sparked one of the league's greatest postseason comebacks and finished with 58.2 fantasy points and a 32.7% usage rate. Head coach Mike Brown did an excellent job of positioning the veteran guard for success, and I expect that to continue in Game 2. Brunson has averaged 46.4 fantasy points over the last seven games, giving him a strong floor with room for an even higher ceiling.
Donovan Mitchell, SG, Cleveland Cavaliers ($9,800)
Mitchell delivered for DFS players in Game 1's overtime thriller, finishing with 53.8 fantasy points across 41 minutes while contributing in every statistical category, including six steals. He also posted a 28.7% usage rate and should continue to shoulder much of the offensive responsibility for the Cavaliers after they relinquished a 22-point lead. Mitchell is Cleveland's best offensive playmaker, and considering how stout the Knicks' defense is, it makes sense for him to lead the way offensively. He's also my favorite captain candidate at $14,700.
$6,100-$8,000 Salaries
Mikal Bridges, SF, New York Knicks ($7,200)
Bridges has been very consistent so far this postseason, averaging 32.3 fantasy points per game over his last six games. He benefits from playing alongside Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, given the defensive attention they command. Even with a modest 15.3% usage rate and 30.4 minutes per game this postseason, Bridges remains a reliable DFS option because of his efficient scoring, defensive production and steady role.
$6,000 and under Salaries
Sam Merrill, SG, Cleveland Cavaliers ($4,000)
Merrill has solidified his role in the Cavaliers' rotation. He has played at least 20 minutes in four consecutive games and scored at least 19 fantasy points in two of them. Merrill is used primarily as a shooter, especially from beyond the arc. The Cavaliers attempted 50 3-pointers against the Knicks in Game 1, and that volume should continue in Game 2.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
8 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers +6.5 (-105) | Knicks -6.5 (-115)
Money line: Cavaliers +200 | Knicks -245
Total: 216.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 7.2, straight up 71%, 218.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: None reported
Knicks: None reported
