Free NBA Pick: Hawks vs. Knicks NBA Odds
Looking for Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Hawks taking on the Knicks on Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 at Madison Square Garden, New York Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Hawks Knicks matchup.
2021 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 1
(1-0) Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks (0-1)
Date: Wednesday, May 26th
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
NBA Moneyline Odds: Hawks +116 | Knicks -125
NBA Betting Odds: Knicks -2
NBA Betting Total: O/U 212.5
On Wednesday, May 26th, the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks tip-off for the second time following the 107-105 Game 1 victory by the Hawks.
This is the third time the clubs will meet in the postseason having played in the 1971 and 1999 semifinals with New York winning both series.
The Hawks hold the all-time record between the clubs with 197 wins in 380 meetings. The Knicks swept the regular-season three-game series this year.
Atlanta Hawks
Nate McMillan made a change to the starting lineup inserting DeAndre Hunter for the first game of the series. He was there more for defensive purposes as evidenced by his shot attempts.
In fact, only three Hawks attempted more than nine shots with Trae Young taking 23, Bogdan Bogdanovic 15, and reserve Danilo Gallinari taking 11. The other seven Hawks took fewer shots (35) than Atlanta’s starting backcourt (38).
Trae Young rose to the occasion with a double-double of 32 points and 10 assists plus seven rebounds. Bogdanovic added 18, Lou Williams offered 13 and John Collins chipped in with 12.
The crowd at MSG got downright surly toward Young who reveled at the moment telling them to be quiet as they booed relentlessly when Young would bait someone into a foul.
Inexplicably, Young didn’t pick up one personal foul despite his porous defense although the Knicks went at the diminutive guard late in the match.
Brandon Goodwin (respiratory condition) and Cam Reddish (right Achilles soreness) are both out.
New York Knicks
Coach Tom Thibodeau brought in Derrick Rose quickly, presumably for his playoff experience. Rose spent the most time guarding Young (23.7 possessions) and while the Hawks guard scored 14 points versus the vet, Rose frequently forced him to pass the ball.
Young’s primary defensive assignment was Reggie Bullock (4:35) followed by Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Derrick Rose. RJ was the most successful in the matchup scoring 100% with Quickley second although the Knicks as a team scored 17 points in the 1:05 Young spent guarding Rose.
At issue is the Hawks try to hide Young on defense so Thibs will need to use specific screens, switches, and pick and roll sets to target him.
The biggest problem with this strategy is Julius Randle is the Knicks’ primary scorer and as such would face Capela, Collins, or numerous other Hawks ahead of Young.
Randle had a rough first outing (6 of 23) but managed a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds) as did RJ Barrett (14 points, 11 rebounds) including one spectacular dunk that set MSG attendees into a tizzy.
Alek Burks led New York (27 points) while Rose had us recalling his days in Chicago with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block.
The Knicks used 11 players although Frank Ntilikina played only a minute and coach Thibs played his reserve vets (Rose, Burks, Gibson) more with Rose (38), Randle (36), Barrett (32), Burks (26), and Noel/Gibson (24 each) and Quickley (21) garnering the most playing time.
Mitchell Robinson (fractured foot) is out indefinitely.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Knicks are 7-3 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Knicks are 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 5-5 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks NBA Prediction:
Young has embraced the role of villain and will be the target of MSG attendee’s vitriol. More importantly, he’ll be the target of coach Thibs game adjustments particularly to limit his paint penetration, force the ball out of his hands, make him feel the Knicks (read more physical) and target him on the defensive end.
Teams who lost Game 1 and hence the home court advantage (Clippers, Nuggets, Jazz, Knicks) are all in must-win situations in Game 2 but especially the Knicks given their inexperience and lack of depth. Most importantly, Julius Randle will need to have a bounce-back effort because heading to Atlanta down 0-2 would be a hole too deep to crawl out of.
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