NBA Tips for Friday, May 22nd 2026

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We have NBA picks and predictions for Friday, May 22nd, which features Game 2 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Our picks include a best bet and NBA same game multi, and we’re looking forward to the NBA action this week.

Cavaliers vs. Knicks Best Bet

Knicks -6.5 @ $1.90

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We had the Cavaliers +6.5 in Game 1, and after leading by 22 points with seven minutes to go, it was game over for underdogs. However, the Knicks pulled it back and forced overtime, where they dominated to leave Cavaliers +6.5 backers heartbroken.

Based on that loss, which had to take its toll mentally on the Cavaliers, we’re backing the Knicks to keep their incredible playoff winning run alive. They have all the momentum on their side, and even when trailing 22 points late in the game, they never gave up.

They play with more passion than Cleveland, and they exposed James Harden’s lack of defence in the fourth quarter. That’s a big concern for Cleveland supporters in Game 2, and his defence has always been suspect at the top level.

We can’t see the Knicks being beaten, and they usually win by a big margin when getting the job done in the playoffs. We have them covering the -6.5 spread with a big second-half blitz, which will have Madison Square Garden rocking.

Cavaliers vs. Knicks SGM

Knicks -6.5, Jalen Brunson Over 27.5 Points, Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 Points, Under 216.5 Points @ $8.70

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Punters should expect a big performance from New York’s best players, including Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Brunson had a whopping 38 points in the overtime win on Wednesday, and he does it without making much of a fuss. He controls the tempo of the game for the Knicks, and he knows exactly when his team needs him to make buckets. We have him scoring over 27.5 points and dominating the Cavaliers defence.

Towns hasn’t been as consistent as expected during the playoffs, but if he stays out of foul trouble, he should make his mark on this game. He had only 13 points in Game 1, but he could dominate the paint if he wanted to. They should look to get Evan Mobley into foul trouble, and an aggressive KAT would achieve it.

Based on the Knicks’ defence, we have under 216.5 points in our NBA SGM picks. The Cavaliers could find it tough to score, and they’ll be desperate to get home for Game 3.

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Editor In Chief

Daryl Curnow

After graduating from the University of Auckland (BA - English), Daryl Curnow was thrown into the world of sports and horse racing journalism.

Having worked as a racing journalist for two years, he decided to move into the online world of horse racing and sports writing. After years of honing his craft, Daryl became a professional punter in 2009 - with a focus on horse racing, NRL, AFL, NBA, Rugby, NFL, and US college sports.

Daryl's tips have been featured on various websites around the world before joining the GoBet team. When he's not working, Daryl tries to avoid making bogeys on the golf course.