The New York Knicks (21-21) travel to Phillips Arena Saturday to take on the Atlanta Hawks (17-24). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Knicks vs. Hawks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Knicks have once again been dependent on their defense, although their play certainly hasn’t lived up to the standard they set last season.
New York is just 20-22 ATS on the year. The Knicks are 7-3 over their last 10, covering 4 of their last 5. New York has the fourth-best opponents’ field goal percentage.
That said, the real letdown this season has been Atlanta, who is just 15-26 ATS. The Hawks are just 2-8 ATS over their last 10.
The weakness for Atlanta is its 25th-best defense, ranking in the bottom third of the league in opponents’ three-point percentage and free-throw percentage. Nonetheless, they’ll be favorites at home.
Knicks at Hawks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Knicks +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Hawks -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +2.5 (-107) | Hawks -2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 212.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Knicks at Hawks key injuries
Knicks
- G Derrick Rose (ankle) out
- G Kemba Walker (knee) out
Hawks
- C Clint Capela (ankle) questionable
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Knicks at Hawks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Hawks 106, Knicks 99
Money line
PASS on the money line.
The Knicks have won six straight against Atlanta, so while I like the Hawks in this situation, I’d prefer the better odds than to lay anything on their money line.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the HAWKS -2.5 (-115).
As noted, the Knicks aren’t quite the same team they were a season ago, bringing in scorers like G Evan Fournier and Walker. They’ve sacrificed much-needed defending to allot minutes to their stars.
Atlanta should be able to abuse a weaker defense. That said, in both matchups, Atlanta has been down key players. In the most recent meeting, they were without superstar Trae Young. Before that, Bogdan Bogdanovic played just 10 minutes. Both Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter combined to go 0-for-8 in that game as well. Regressing to their mean, the Hawks, who have the size to deal with Mitchell Robinson, should be able to break down a weak New York defense.
Also, the Hawks shooting the fourth-highest percentage from deep while the Knicks allow the 14th-best 3-point shooting. Overall, I’ll side with the healthier Hawks.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 212.5 (-108).
These two teams have met twice this season. In both battles, the two sides combined for under 190 points. This is just a gritty battle that doesn’t typically involve much quick offense.
The Hawks rank 18th in pace, but it’s the Knicks style of play that makes betting on points unlikely. They rank dead-last in pace. The Knicks are just 17-25 on the O/U this season.
Lastly, this game opened at 214.5, and it has already churned down two points, meaning either there is reverse-line movement or a ton of sharp money on the Under.
Either way, the Under is the better play here.
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