The New York Knicks play host to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. Here’s a Knicks vs. Hawks Prediction. This article will include a Knicks vs. Hawks Pick.
Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview
The Atlanta Hawks finished the regular season with plenty of momentum as they reeled off 19 wins from their last 24 games to finish with a 46-36 overall record, which was good enough to secure the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Johnson led the team with averages of 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game; Nickeil Alexander-Walker averaged 20.8 points per game, while CJ McCollum was acquired midseason and contributed with averages of 18.7 points and 4.1 assists per game. As a team, the Hawks scored 118.5 points per game while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from the 3-point line.
New York Knicks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks have been in great shape as they won 12 of their last 16 games to finish with a 53-29 overall record, which was good enough for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Brunson led the team in scoring with averages of 26.0 points and 6.8 assists per game; Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, while OG Anunoby averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. As a team, the Knicks scored 116.5 points per game while shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from the 3-point line. Looking at everything from overall wins to offensive rating and defensive rating, the Knicks improved on last season and look primed for a deep run this playoff.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Knicks have won each of their last 10 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Hawks have lost seven of their last eight playoff road games.
- The Knicks have covered the spread in each of their last six home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Hawks have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as underdogs.
Why the Atlanta Hawks will win
- The underdogs have won four of the Knicks’ last five Eastern Conference First Round games.
- The Knicks have lost three of their last four Eastern Conference First Round games as home favorites.
- The Hawks have covered the spread in seven of their last eight night games at Madison Square Garden.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six Saturday night games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Hawks’ last nine Saturday night games has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Knicks’ last five Eastern Conference First Round home games against Southeast Division opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Mikal Bridges is one of only seven players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
- Landry Shamet is one of only eight players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Knicks rank 1st in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (10.0).
- The Knicks rank 1st in the league for Q4 opponent points per game this season (25.3).
- The Hawks rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (30.1).
- The Hawks have recorded the largest comeback win from a Q3 deficit this season—they trailed by 18 points @ Suns on November 16.
Knicks vs Hawks Prediction
The Hawks should be entering with a full squad except for the injured Jock Landale, while the Knicks expect to be fully healthy after resting their players in their final game of the regular season. These teams met three times during the season, with the Knicks winning the series by 2-1, but it really could’ve been anything, as the Knicks’ two wins were both by just three points each. The Hawks have looked like a completely revamped team since they traded away Trae Young and they enter as arguably the hotter team in this matchup so the pressure is on the Knicks to start strong and try to draw first blood in a series that could go the distance. I still think the Knicks do enough to get the job done at home, but I think this one goes down to the wire so the points may come in handy.