Pro Basketball Predictions: New York Knicks (-2.5) vs Cleveland Cavs (+2.5) Over – Under 195

Carmelo Anthony is coming off the absolute worst performance in his career. He scored a measly 1 point against the Bobcat. Still, the Knicks won that by 33 points! Carmelo has something to prove. When an athlete of this caliber has something to prove look out.

Tonight it’s going to be the Melo show. Cleveland has seen it before. In his last 3 games at Quicken Loans Arena, in Cleveland, Carmelo has averaged 33 points per game. He has pulled down 21 boards and dished out 15 assist in those 3 games too. He has been dominate. I expect to see that fire from Anthony tonight. He has the ability to take it up a notch. We know no one on Cleveland can guard him.

Some may point to the fact that Cleveland has been dominating the Knicks, winning 9 of the last 10 meetings. Of course that includes the Lebron and Pre-Melo Era, but it doe include Cleveland winning 3 of 4 against the Knicks a season ago.

However, the reason the Cavs were winning those games is because of 2nd chance opportunities. They were absolutely killing the Knicks on 2nd chance points. They averaged 16, yes 16 offensive boards a game in those 3 wins. Any team is going to win when they 16 extra opportunities.

The addition of tough, inside man Tyson Chandler has solved this problem. The New York Knicks allow the 2nd least offensive rebounds in the league right now! That’s an amazing stat that clearly signifies what Chandler has done for his team. Chandler is a good physical player, but even more than that he is a great locker room guy. He can get the players to believe in the importance of rebounding and playing defense, more than any coach. He leads by example and the Knicks are buying in.

The Knicks are turning it around. This is not going to be a fun game for the Cavs. They aren’t going to get the those rebounds that they have before. They are going to get a furious Carmelo Anthony. They are going to get a loss.