Knicks vs. Cavaliers Recap: Towns, Mitchell and Watson Props Cash

New York beat Cleveland 109-97. The Knicks won the second quarter 37-26 to lead 63-53 at the half, stretched it to 88-70 after three and led by as many as 19 before the Cavaliers took the fourth 27-21. Jalen Brunson led New York with 31 points and 9 assists, the Knicks out-rebounded Cleveland 49-40 and they went 13-of-14 at the line. Nine DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Peyton Watson 7+ rebounds + assists (-117 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Watson cleared this in 9 of his last 10 and 15 of his last 20. At -117 (54% implied) we had it near 78%. - What happened: 6 rebounds and 3 assists made 9 in 29 minutes, 2.5 over the line. - Worth watching: Two stats feeding one number gave him room on a 5-of-11 shooting night.

ALT: Andre Drummond 8+ rebounds (+114 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Drummond had 8+ boards in 9 of his last 10 and 14 of his last 20. At +114 (47% implied) we had it near 76%. - What happened: He grabbed exactly 8, 6 on the defensive glass, in 14 minutes off the bench. - Worth watching: The per-minute rebounding is strong, but 14 minutes leaves almost no cushion.

Peyton Watson 3+ assists (+138 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: 3+ assists in 7 of his last 10 and 13 of his last 20. At +138 (42% implied) we had it near 65%. - What happened: Watson finished with exactly 3 assists, clearing by half. - Worth watching: Plus money on a hit rate like that is the kind of price we look for, even with a thin margin.

ALT: Karl-Anthony Towns 15+ points (-433 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Towns cleared 15 in 7 of 8 games this season, averaging 19.9. - What happened: 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting and 5-of-5 at the line, 14.5 clear. - Worth watching: At -433 the low rung is pricey. On nights he is this involved, a higher rung is worth checking.

ALT: Donovan Mitchell 25+ points + rebounds + assists (-650 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Mitchell cleared 25 PRA in 7 of 8 games this season, averaging 33.0. - What happened: 37 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists made 45, 20.5 over. His points alone covered it. - Worth watching: -650 is a heavy price. The volume is there, so the question is only what you pay for it.

ALT: Karl-Anthony Towns 30+ points + rebounds + assists (-445 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Towns cleared 30 PRA in all 8 games this season, averaging 36.6. - What happened: 29 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists made 45, 15.5 over. - Worth watching: Points and boards both carried it, which is why this combo has been so steady for him.

ALT: James Harden 5+ assists (-359 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Harden had 5+ assists in 7 of 8 games this season, averaging 6.3. - What happened: He finished with exactly 5 in 34 minutes, clearing by half. - Worth watching: An average of 6.3 against a 4.5 line is not a big cushion at -359.

Karl-Anthony Towns 12+ rebounds (-204 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Towns had 12+ boards in 6 of 7 and all of his last 5 (average 13.9) on 32 minutes, and Cleveland's Jarrett Allen was listed questionable to out. - What happened: 13 rebounds, 5 offensive, in 34 minutes, 1.5 over. ESPN listed Allen as out. - Worth watching: Check Allen's status first. Without him, Towns has a clearer path on the glass.

Peyton Watson 15+ points + assists (-107 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Watson cleared 15 points + assists in 6 of his last 10 and 14 of his last 20. At -107 (52% implied) we had it near 63%, our lowest confidence on this game. - What happened: 12 points and 3 assists made exactly 15, clearing by half. - Worth watching: This one had no margin. It is a coin-flip-range line, so price matters most.

How the game played out

Mitchell scored 37 on 13-of-22 shooting with 5 threes, but Cleveland went 11-of-19 from the line and committed 11 turnovers to New York's 7. The Knicks grabbed 16 offensive rebounds and led for 69 percent of the game, per ESPN.

Trends to watch

• Towns on the glass: 13 rebounds with 5 offensive in 34 minutes while Allen sat.
• Watson's props: three cashed, two of them by half a point. His 29 minutes is the number to track.
• Mitchell's volume: 22 shots and 13 three-point attempts keep his scoring props in range.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. More NBA coverage at /nba and NBA recaps. New to these markets? Start with the alt line explainer.