Hawks vs Knicks: NBA Cup Quarterfinals Preview and Predictions

The Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks are set to clash in the quarterfinals of the 2024 NBA Cup on Wednesday, December 11, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Knicks, currently standing at 15-9, are favored by seven points, with the total set at 236.5 points according to Fanduel Sportsbook and other betting lines.

The Hawks had their six-game winning streak snapped by the Denver Nuggets in a 141-111 loss on Sunday. Despite this setback, Atlanta has shown resilience, particularly against top Eastern Conference teams, having beaten the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks recently. However, they will need to improve their defense, which has been struggling, especially in their last two games.

The Knicks, on the other hand, have been in strong form, winning five of their last six games. They are led by Jalen Brunson, who is 11th in the NBA in scoring with 25.2 points per game and ninth in assists with 7.8 per game. Karl-Anthony Towns has also been a key player, ranking second in the NBA in rebounds with 13.3 per game and 12th in scoring with 25.1 points per game. Towns has been a significant matchup problem for the Hawks, particularly in their last encounter where he scored 34 points.

Trae Young, the Hawks’ star point guard, will be crucial in this matchup. He struggled in the loss to the Nuggets, scoring 15 points and adding 10 assists, but he has a history of performing well against the Knicks. The Hawks’ bench, which includes Bogdan Bogdanovic, De'Andre Hunter, and Onyeka Okongwu, could provide a significant edge if all players are healthy.

The game is expected to have a playoff-like atmosphere, and the Hawks will need their best players to step up to overcome the strong Knicks offense. The Knicks’ home court advantage and recent form make them favorites, but the Hawks’ ability to rise to big-game challenges keeps the matchup intriguing.

The game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN and available for streaming on fuboTV. Betting trends and expert predictions are leaning towards the Knicks covering the spread, but some analysts suggest the Hawks could keep the game close.