The Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks will open their first-round series with Game 1 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Hawks-Knicks prediction and pick.
This series will feature a ton of young talent with very little playoff experience on either side. New York swept Atlanta during the regular season and edged them out for home-court advantage in the first round. Both teams ended the season on a high note and will come into this series with a ton of energy and momentum.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Hawks-Knicks odds.
NBA Odds: Hawks-Knicks Odds
Atlanta Hawks -1 (-110)
New York Knicks +1 (-110)
Over 213 Points (-110)
Under 213 Points (-110)
Why The Hawks Could Cover The Spread
In what should be a tight series throughout, many will lean on playoff experience to be the difference. The Hawks have a very slight edge in that department. Clint Capela made deep runs with James Harden and the Houston Rockets and has certainly seen the ups and downs of a recent postseason. It will be up to him and fellow playoff veterans Danilo Gallinari and Tony Snell to lead the charge in this department heading into this series.
Despite the lack of experience, this Hawks team will depend on Trae Young to lead the charge. Young put together another solid season, recording 25.3 points and 9.4 assists per game. He struggled to shoot against the Knicks this season, but did get to the charity stripe often in the three games. Atlanta will have to attack this lethal Knicks defense and hope to get to the line early and often to put them on their heels.
Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread
The Knicks are not supposed to be in this position this year. With Vegas setting their win total at just 22.5 before the start of the season, it is shocking that the Knicks won 41 games and played elite defense all season. Tom Thibodeau came in and immediately changed the culture as the roster didn't really change in a big way, but the mindset did.
Bringing guys like Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson on certainly brought in a tough-minded mentality that the rest of the team adopted. That, along with Julius Randle's ascent, is why the Knicks were so good this season. Randle is the favorite to win Most Improved Player this season, while sidekick RJ Barrett improved his game in all areas in Year 2. New York is a deep squad that shoots the 3-ball at a high clip and smothers you on the defensive end.
Final Hawks-Knicks Prediction & Pick
In a series full of inexperienced youngsters, the key difference will be the coaching matchup. I give the Knicks the advantage because Thibodeau's impact on his club this season can't be overlooked. They have bought into him and trust his experience and guidance. With guys like Rose and Gibson already having playoff experience with Thibs, the three of them will be able to steer the squad. He has taught his club that defense is more sustainable and that is why the Knicks have the edge in this series. New York went 25-11 and allowed just 105 points per game at Madison Square Garden this season.
FINAL PICK: New York Knicks +1 (-110)
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