Beyond the box score.
Inside the matchup.

NBA Prediction Model · Explore the analysis and interactive tools below.

FIG. 01 / AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVEDAIKI TAKIZAWA · RESEARCH & ANALYTICS

ECF 2026 · Prediction Model

New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers · Eastern Conference Finals

NYK

New York Knicks

3rd seed · East

Home court advantage

Eastern Conference Finals

Best of 7 · Game 1 on May 19

NYK 70.8% CLE 29.2%

CLE

Cleveland Cavaliers

4th seed · East

Won DET in 7 games

Predicted series

6 games

NYK in 6

Avg score (NYK)

114

pts per game

Avg score (CLE)

107

pts per game

Game-by-game score predictions

Scores modeled using each team's 2026 playoff averages, home/away splits, and defensive ratings. NYK entered with a 70.8% series win probability per oddsmakers.

New York Knicks · Projected starters

Cleveland Cavaliers · Projected starters

Projections based on each player's 2026 playoff averages, adjusted for opponent defensive rating and playoff usage trends.

Predicted series result

Knicks

–

Cavaliers

Predicted winner: New York Knicks in 6 games → advance to NBA Finals

Key factors

Beyond the box score.Inside the matchup.

ECF 2026 · Prediction Model

Beyond the box score.
Inside the matchup.