Quick Recap:
• Record: 1-0
• Units: +1.0
• Best Win: Knicks -7.0 (+1.0u)
• Tough Loss: —
Bryan Bash delivered a perfect slate on May 19, 2026, finishing 1-0 on his NBA selections. The handicapper’s lone play cashed as the New York Knicks covered the spread in a dramatic overtime victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Cavaliers at Knicks
Bash backed the Knicks -7.0 at -115 odds, and New York delivered a 115-104 overtime victory that covered the spread. The final margin of 11 points was more than enough for bettors laying the seven points, though the path to victory was anything but straightforward.
The Knicks appeared dead in the water for most of regulation, trailing by 22 points with under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Cleveland dominated the early portions of the game, outscoring New York 16-23, 32-23, and 35-23 through the first three quarters to build what seemed like an insurmountable lead. The Cavaliers held a commanding 93-71 advantage with just 7:52 left on the clock, and the Knicks -7 ticket looked destined for the recycling bin.
Then Jalen Brunson orchestrated one of the greatest postseason comebacks in NBA history. The Knicks point guard relentlessly attacked James Harden to spark an 18-1 run that brought New York roaring back into contention. The fourth quarter scoring told the story of the turnaround, with the Knicks outscoring Cleveland 32-18 to force overtime. Brunson finished with a game-high 38 points to go along with 6 assists and 3 steals, carrying the offensive load when his team needed him most.
In the extra session, New York’s momentum proved unstoppable. The Knicks dominated overtime 14-3, turning a nail-biter into a comfortable cover. The shooting percentages reflected New York’s overall superiority despite the slow start—the Knicks shot 47.7% from the field compared to Cleveland’s 40.0%. New York also controlled the glass with a 47-38 rebounding advantage, which proved crucial in the comeback effort. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points and 6 steals, but Cleveland’s offense went ice cold down the stretch when it mattered most.
The dramatic nature of the victory made this cover particularly memorable. What began as a seemingly hopeless position transformed into a dominant finish, with the Knicks outscoring the Cavaliers 46-21 over the final 7:52 of regulation and overtime combined. For Bash’s clients, the sweat was real, but the result was never in doubt once overtime began.
Bryan Bash closes May 19 with a clean 1-0 record, cashing his lone play in emphatic fashion despite the fourth-quarter theatrics required to get there. The Knicks’ historic comeback not only secured the Game 1 victory but also delivered a comfortable cover for those backing New York in the Eastern Conference finals opener.
