The NBA is giving us a ten-game slate on Wednesday, February 15, and this conference clash is one of them, so make sure you get the best Knicks vs. Hawks betting pick and odds.
New York is looking for the third straight win when they visit Atlanta at State Farm Arena. The Hawks are 2-point favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook, while the total is set at 234 points. These conference rivals will meet for the fourth time this season; the Hawks lead the series 2-1.
Knicks beat the Nets without problems
The New York Knicks (32-27, 30-26-3 ATS) won four of the previous five games, including two at home against the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets. The Knicks limited the Nets to 45 points in the second half and scored 66 in return, while the hosts shot 54.9% from the field and kept the turnovers to single digits, committing only eight. New York will open a two-game road trip with this clash against Atlanta, and then will return to the Big Apple for a three-game home stand.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks in a 124-106 victory over the Nets with a game-high 40 points (15-21 FG, 6-9 3PT, 4-8 FT) and game-high five assists. Josh Hart added 27 points and four rebounds, Julius Randle recorded a double-double of 18 points and game-high ten boards along with four dishes, while Immanuel Quickley posted a 14/5/5 line.
C Mitchell Robinson (thumb) is out of the lineup while recovering from surgery for a right thumb fracture, and he is not expected to return before March.
Hawks’ defense was nonexistent in a loss to Charlotte
The Atlanta Hawks (29-29, 26-32-0 ATS) won both games of their two-game homestay against the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs but failed to make it three in a row as they lost to the Charlotte Hornets on the road. Despite scoring even 138 points, the Hawks allowed a season-high 144 and allowed the Hornets to shoot 63.1% from the floor. Atlanta made 11 triples opposite Charlotte’s 20, while the Hawks were inferior in the assists (26-36).
Trae Young led the Hawks with a double-double of 25 points and a team-high 14 assists along with two steals. Clint Capela had 22 points and game-high seven rebounds, De’Andre Hunter was right behind with 21 points and seven boards, Dejounte Murray contributed a 20/5/4 line, while Saddiq Bey, Onyeka Okongwu, Bogdan Bogdanovic finished with double digits.
PF John Collins sat out the last contest with left hip flexor soreness, and it is not yet confirmed if he will participate Wednesday against the Knicks.
Trends:
New York:
3-1-1 ATS in the last five games overall
28-11 ATS in the last 39 road games
7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 games following a straight-up win of more than ten points
Atlanta:
N/A
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks Pick
The Hawks have a higher-scoring offense than the Knicks; Atlanta scores 116.7 points per game and is currently 8th in the NBA in this segment, while New York has an average offense that scores 114.4 ppg. It would be strange if the Hawks didn’t have a top-10 offense with such playmakers as Young and Murray in the starting lineup, but when it comes to defense, the Knicks have an advantage. New York allows 112.5 ppg opposite Atlanta’s D that surrenders 116.7 ppg. On this particular occasion, I am going with a stronger defense, and therefore, I am backing the Knicks to stay close and cover. I wouldn’t be surprised if the visitors get a win here.
Pick: Take the Knicks at +4.5 (-133)
The Total
New York scored even 250 points in the last two games, but the Knicks are not very efficient on the road, so I don’t expect them to score 120+ for the third consecutive game. Atlanta doesn’t have problems when it comes to scoring, but after allowing a season-high 144 points in a loss to Charlotte, I am backing the hosts to bounce back defensively. Under is 7-2 in the Hawks’ last nine games following an ATS loss, while Under is 5-2 in Atlanta’s previous seven home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Pick: Go Under 236.5 points (-130)
