New head coach Mike Brown and the New York Knicks are set to open the season tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:10 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks open the season with the second-best odds to represent the Eastern Conference at the NBA’s final series in June. However, before those potential playoff tests come, an 82-game basketball gauntlet gets underway with the first game of the 2025-26 season tipping off between the Knicks and the Cavaliers inside the World’s Most Famous Arena this evening.
Game 1: Cleveland Cavaliers (0-0) @ New York Knicks (0-0)
Tip Off: 7:00 p.m. ET (Wed., 10/22/25)
Location: Madison Square Garden (New York, New York)
The Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2024-25 season, but dismissed head coach Tom Thibodeau over the summer. New York selected a fresh voice on the sidelines in Mike Brown to guide a veteran-heavy roster. The Knicks added Malcolm Brogdon and Guerschon Yabusele to the bench unit provide depth behind Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges.
For the second straight season, Cleveland was dispatched by the Eastern Conference representative in the NBA Finals after a five-game series loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Conference Semifinals. The Cavaliers bring a familiar looking roster into 2025-26, headlined by Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Donovan Mitchell. Garland is listed as out with a toe injury ahead of the season opener against the Knicks.
| Knicks/Cavaliers Odds Breakdown for 10/22/2025 | |
| Spread | CLE -1.5 |
| Money Line | CLE -125, NYK +105 |
| Knicks Over/Under (113.5 points) | Over -125, Under -110 |
| Game Over/ Under (228.5 points) | Over -108, Under -112 |
| Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook | Odds are subject to change |
The visiting Cavaliers hold a slim 53% win probability, according to DraftKings.
Prediction: Brunson Scores 25+ points
Brunson averaged 26.7 points per game (PPG) last season, and he was right on that average in three losses against the Cavaliers in 2025-26 with a 24.6 PPG average. In late Oct. 2024, New York’s point guard led the Knicks with 21 points in a 110-104 defeat. The next matchup arrive in Feb. 2025, when Brunson scored 26 points in a 142-105 road loss in Cleveland. In the final meeting during the 2024-25 campaign, the former Villanova star scored 27 points in a 108-102 loss during the final weekend of regular season action.
If bettors are feeling frisky, there are enticing odds for Brunson to reach the 30+ point plateau against Cleveland. However, the 29-year-old guard has only eclipsed that specific points threshold once against the Cavaliers in 18 all-time meetings.
| Brunson Scoring Odds vs. Cavaliers for 10/22/2025 | |
| Brunson 20+ Pts | -448 |
| Brunson 25+ Pts | -162 |
| Brunson 30+ Pts | +150 |
| Brunson 35+ Pts | +362 |
| Brunson 40+ Pts | +880 |
| Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook | Odds are subject to change |
The Knicks will be out to make a good impression in their first game under their new sideline boss. The Knicks played well at home in 2024-25 with a 27-14 record, a 66% win rate at Madison Square Garden.
Cleveland is a stingy defensive team, but they have a little less offensive firepower with Darius Garland and Max Strus out of the lineup. Look for New York to cover the -1.5 spread, win a tight game, and send the home fans happy following their first victory of the 2025-26 season.
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