Quick Recap:
• Record: 0-1
• Units: -1.1
• Best Win: —
• Tough Loss: Cleveland Cavaliers -2.0 (-1.1u)
Bryan Bash finished May 23, 2026, with an 0-1 record as his lone NBA selection fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals. The handicapper backed Cleveland at home, but the Cavaliers were unable to contain a surging Knicks squad that moved to the brink of an NBA Finals berth.
Knicks at Cavaliers
Bash recommended the Cleveland Cavaliers -2.0 (-115, 1 unit) in their home matchup against the New York Knicks. The selection resulted in a Loss as the Knicks dominated from start to finish, claiming a 121-108 victory in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
New York never trailed in this contest, establishing control immediately with a commanding 37-27 first quarter that set the tone for the evening. The Knicks’ early surge put Cleveland in a double-digit hole they would never overcome, and the home team’s inability to string together a meaningful run doomed both their playoff hopes and this wager. Jalen Brunson led the way with 30 points and 6 assists, while Mikal Bridges contributed 22 points as the Knicks moved within one game of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
The statistical breakdown reveals why Cleveland failed to cover the modest 2-point spread. The Knicks shot an efficient 55.8% from the field compared to Cleveland’s 50.0%, and the disparity was even more pronounced from beyond the arc, where New York connected at 39.3% while the Cavaliers managed just 29.3%. The free throw line told another story entirely—New York converted at an impressive 88.9% clip while Cleveland struggled to just 63.2%, a significant gap that contributed to the final margin. The Knicks also held edges in rebounding (37-34) and assists (27-22), demonstrating superior ball movement and execution throughout.
Evan Mobley provided 24 points and 6 rebounds for Cleveland in a losing effort, but the Cavaliers lacked the secondary scoring and defensive intensity needed to keep pace with a Knicks team firing on all cylinders. The atmosphere at the arena reflected the outcome, with visiting Knicks fans chanting “Knicks in four” as the final seconds ticked away, celebrating their team’s position on the verge of sweeping their second consecutive playoff series.
Bryan Bash’s difficult night on May 23rd underscores the challenges of handicapping playoff basketball, particularly when a team seizes momentum as decisively as New York did in this Eastern Conference Finals matchup. The 0-1 record reflects a pick that was undermined by Cleveland’s shooting woes and New York’s comprehensive dominance across all four quarters.
