Knicks Look to Seal Season Series Against Struggling Hawks

ATLANTA, Ga. — A critical Eastern Conference showdown is on the horizon as the New York Knicks prepare to face the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday afternoon. With playoff positioning at stake, the Knicks (48-28) currently seed third in the conference, while the Hawks (36-40) sit eighth and are looking to snap a troubling four-game losing streak.

The game is set to tip off at 3 p.m. ET from State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The Knicks enter the matchup as 3.5-point favorites, according to the latest odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points is set at 236.5.

After enduring a 124-105 defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, the Knicks will aim to bounce back. Notably, the Knicks have won three of their last four games heading into this contest, showcasing their resilience and strength throughout the season.

Conversely, the Hawks are reeling from a nail-biting 120-118 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on the same night, adding pressure as they try to secure their playoff position. The team will need to address their recent struggles, having won only one of their last five games.

The Knicks will likely feel the absence of point guard Jalen Brunson, who is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Should he be unable to play, the Knicks may lean on shooting guard Josh Hart, who recently contributed 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the defeat against Cleveland.

Hart has faced the Hawks four times this season, averaging 16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, an indication of his effectiveness against this particular team. His overall performance across 73 games this season includes an average of 13.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game.

Another vital component for the Knicks is center Karl-Anthony Towns. He has been a crucial player as of late, turning in impressive double-doubles, and even registered a triple-double in recent outings. In the game against Cleveland, he tallied 25 points alongside 13 rebounds, bringing his average against Atlanta this season to 27.5 points and 13.5 rebounds.

On the Hawks’ side, point guard Trae Young is probable for Saturday and will be instrumental in their offensive strategy. Young has been on a roll, recording seven consecutive double-doubles, including a standout performance against the Mavericks where he scored 25 points and dished out 12 assists.

In their recent matchup against the Knicks, Young showed up strong, with averages of 29 points and 11.6 assists in 71 games played this season. The Hawks are banking on him to lead the charge against New York.

In terms of predictions, the SportsLine model has simulated Saturday’s Knicks vs. Hawks matchup 10,000 times and suggests a lean towards the Under on total points, projecting 229 combined points for both teams. The model also indicates that one side of the spread has a greater than 50% chance of success in simulations.

As the Knicks aim to close the season series against the Hawks with a victory, both teams will be looking to capitalize on their respective strengths. Fans are encouraged to tune in to see how this playoff-centric clash unfolds.