No team needed the All-Star break as much as the Knicks. While things still aren't perfect on the injury front, I do expect them to be in much better shape Friday. The Knicks did just enough to win against the Bulls last night, and in my eyes that game was allowed them to knock some rust off. I'm really looking forward to watching this game on Friday night, as it could be a potential playoff matchup in a couple months. Knicks will keep this closer than 8.5 points.

I was able to get this one at 239.5 first thing this morning, but I still like the pick at this number. Both offenses are explosive here, and the defenses rank near the middle of the league. Both teams have been strong to the Over all season, and I expect that to continue on Friday.

The Knicks find themselves as steep underdogs tonight against the Cavaliers, as they are likely to be undermanned once again. They are also coming off an overtime game last night against the Chicago Bulls. As great as Karl Anthony Towns has been, and Jalen Brunson seek value tonight on Mikal Bridges. Bridges logged 44 minutes last night and has that iron man trait throughout his NBA career. Buy the dip on Bridges who has scored over 17 points just once in his last eight games.

It was a slower pace than we are used to seeing from the Knicks last night but they still managed to squeeze by the Bulls in OT at MSG. That makes it ten wins in twelve for New York, and as usual, Karl-Anthony Towns (32 more points last night; 39 ppg across last three) and Jalen Brunson (22 points) led the charge, so the main hands are on deck for Tom Thibodeau. The Cavs have won five straight and eight of nine themselves, but they were involved in a scrap at Brooklyn last night, not putting away the Nets until the 4th Q. A much tougher test awaits tonight. Play Knicks

This is a tough spot for KAT going up against arguably the best interior front court in the NBA led by Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. KAT has faced Jarrett Allen 7x in his career and has only eclipsed this scoring prop 1x in their H2H matchups, in addition to only shooting above 50% once as well. We could also possibly see Josh Hart and OG Anunoby return to the lineup which could reduce KAT's usage. Either way I like fading him in what is a difficult matchup.

Back to backs bring out the points in these two teams. I expect more of the same here. Knicks are 7-1 to the over with no rest and Cavs are 8-3. Cavs entered play Thur as 34-16 over as a favorite and Knicks 5-0-1 over as a dog. Knicks were 20-10 over entering Thurs with equal rest and Cavs entered Thursday 20-11 over. Knicks entered Thursday over in 6 straight and 8 of 9 (allowing 121 points in those 9). Cavs were over in 6 of 8 and 11 of 16. Cavs enter Thurs 32-12 over outside their division and Knicks 26-16-1. Cavs scoring 127 ppg over last 11 games. Knicks starters badly needed that ASB. Expect them running here.