NBA Betting Tips: Two picks for Eastern Conference finals opener

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New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

New York Knicks -7.5 (vs Cleveland Cavaliers) @ 1/1

The Knicks have had a substantial rest advantage over the Cavaliers, who've gone to a game seven in both of their previous series', and the visitors will have had just one day's rest in comparison to New York, who swept the Philadelphia 76ers just over a week ago.

In addition, NY have made Madison Square Garden an absolute fortress during the post-season, losing just once there so far.

The Knicks are playing their best basketball of the entire season at the minute, using their elite defence and physicality to wear teams down, while Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have been orchestrating the offence.

The visiting Cavaliers arrive in the Big Apple battle-tested but potentially fatigued after a gruelling series against Detroit which, as mentioned above, went the distance. Their offence remains heavily reliant on the spectacular form of Donovan Mitchell, who has shown the ability to hit big shots when his team need him the most.

However, New York's perimeter defence should be able to contain Mitchell - and James Harden - which is why I'm backing the Knicks to cover a 7.5 spread in game one.

Jalen Brunson (NY) 3+ Made Threes @ 11/10

I mentioned Brunson above, and he's been excellent ever since joining the Knicks back in 2022.

Detroit exposed Cleveland's inability to defend the three-point shot, which I expect Brunson to take full advantage of here. The 29-year-old has hit three or more three-point shots in seven of 10 play-off games so far, including four of five at home.

Brunson erupted to go six-for-10 behind the arc in the record-breaking win over Philadelphia last time out, and in front of what is sure to be an electric MSG crowd, I would expect nothing less here.