Free Pick: Hawks vs. Knicks Odds
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2026 NBA Playoffs Handicapping – Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks
(0-1) Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks (1-0)
Date: Apr 20, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
NBA Moneyline Odds: Hawks +188 | Knicks -218 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NBA Point Spread Betting Odds: Hawks +5.5 | Knicks -5.5
NBA Basketball Gambling Total: O/U: 217.5
Here’s why I’m taking the visiting underdog as outlined in my Hawks Knicks free pick and gambling prediction for Game 2 of the East’s #3 vs. #6 NBA playoffs matchup.
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Hawks vs. Knicks Gameday
Game one is in the books, and now the teams make adjustments. Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks is on tap in the second game of the day at 8:00 p.m.
New York handled the Hawks in Game 1, winning 113-102. The teams both started hot, but Atlanta cooled off as the Knicks pulled away for the victory.
Four Hawks scored in double figures, led by CJ McCollum with 26 points, but he had five turnovers. Jalen Johnson scored 23 points but was somewhat held in check by the Knicks wings.
All five Knicks scored in double figures, led by Jalen Brunson with 28 points plus five rebounds and seven assists, while Josh Hart collected a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds.
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Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks Odds & Last 5
For the past three years, the Knicks have won the head-to-head regular-season series versus the Hawks. In this campaign, they led two games to one.
Historically, the teams have met in the postseason on three occasions, with the Knicks winning twice, but the Hawks won the most recent (2021) meeting when Trae Young was still with Atlanta and famously quieted the Mecca.
Coming into the playoffs, the Hawks were one of the hottest teams, winning 19 of their final 24 contests. New York was also strong to close the season, winning 12 of their final 16 contests.
The Knicks are favored by a spread of 5.5 points while the over/under is 217.5 points.
Hawks Stats
In the regular season, the Hawks ranked tied for 14th (115.0) on offense and tied for ninth on defense (112.9). Additionally, Atlanta ranks 12th in net rating (+2.2) and runs the fifth-quickest pace (102.50).
The East’s sixth seed averages 118.5 points per game, while its opponents average 116.0 points. In terms of dimes and boards, Atlanta averages 30.1 (first) and 43.5 (18th), respectively.
Team leaders* in key categories for Atlanta feature Jalen Johnson for scoring (22.5 points), rebounding (10.3), and assists (7.9) while Dyson Daniels is the top steal man (2.0) and Oneyeka Okongwu (1.1) for blocks.
Seven Hawks shoot above the league average while the team as a whole shoots 37.1%.
*minimum 20 games
**Leads the NBA
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Knicks Stats
New York ranks fourth (118.7) offensively, seventh defensively (112.3), fifth in net rating (+6.4), and runs the 25th-ranked pace in the association (97.71).
The Knicks are averaging 116.5 points per game while their opponents average 110.1 points. In terms of dimes and boards, New York averages 27.4 (13th) and 45.6 (seventh), respectively.
New York’s team leaders* are Jalen Brunson for scoring (26.0 points) and assists (6.8), Karl-Anthony Towns for rebounds (11.9), OG Anunoby for steals (1.6), and Mitchell Robinson for blocks (1.2).
The Knicks produce above the league average from the perimeter, shooting 37.3% as a team, while nine* players shoot above the league average.
*minimum 20 games
**Leads the NBA
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks bottom line:
Matchups are going to be key in this series, and Quin Snyder needs to figure out who he can task with slowing Bruson and Towns (or at least one of them).
It wasn’t even the best effort by New York, but they managed to slow the pace, and that allowed them to pull away. As I noted in the initial preview, pace and rebounding will be the keys to this series.
The Hawks run the fifth-fastest pace, while the Knicks are content to play in more of a half-court style with their 25th-ranked pace. Clearly, the latter is more suited to the typically slower playoff pace, so the Hawks will need to be intentional in keeping to their identity.
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks Basketball Betting Trends
- Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games when playing in New York.
- Atlanta is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games against New York.
- Also, New York is 6-0 ATS in its last 6 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York’s last 6 games.
- Additionally, New York is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home.
Hawks Knicks Free Pick: Hawks +5.5
Here is my Hawks Knicks free pick.
I’m not sure what the Hawks were thinking by allowing the Knicks to slow the pace to a crawl and function in the half-court. Clearly, New York is better suited to that style, and it allows them to set up on defense when the Hawks comply and walk the ball up the court.
Look for Snyder to direct his team to push off rebounds and be more aggressive in their defense to force deflections and turnovers, which would play into their style of fast break scoring.
Atlanta needs to be cautious about getting into clutch time with the Knicks where Jalen Brunson excels leading the Knicks to 21-13 in clutch time games. New York ranks sixth in clutch time win percentage (61.8%) versus Atlanta who rank 18th (48.6%).
Atlanta needs to be better from the charity stripe as well, where they shot 63%. They got 11 fewer opportunities, so they can’t afford to miss the ones they get, as New York is styled to drive the ball in the paint and get to the line.
Mind you, the Knicks have more floppers on their team than any other club in the association (in my humble opinion). Repeatedly on Saturday, Knicks players were flailing their arms, falling, and flopping, and it paid dividends as they got to the line 30 times.
While the Mecca is a tough place for opponents to play, the Hawks didn’t seem to be phased; they just played too slowly.
I’m expecting them to make the appropriate adjustments for Game 2, so I’ll take the points.
Today’s NBA Free Pick
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NBA Betting Tweet Of The Day
KAT turned the city up with this one 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/venygmqgOa
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 19, 2026
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