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Jeremy Perry
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks Game 5 Prediction, Playoff Odds
The Atlanta Hawks proved to be too much for the New York Knicks to handle once again, defeating them 113-96 in Game 4 on Sunday, to push their lead in the series to 3-1. While Trae Young and company shined on their home court, Julius Randle continued to struggle. Can the Hawks wrap this series up at Madison Square Garden in Game 5, or will the Knicks stay alive for at least one more game?
Hawks vs. Knicks NBA Playoff Odds
New York is a 1.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds with a total of 208.
The Hawks are 3-8 against the spread in their last 11 postseason games overall, but they have a great shot to improve that number in this game. All of the momentum in this series is on Atlanta’s side, after picking up back-to-back statement wins in their home arena.
On the other hand, the Knicks are 6-0-1 ATS in their past seven games when coming into a contest with two days of rest. The extra time could help them get their minds right and try to refocus after falling behind 3-1.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks may have a very young team, but they sure aren’t playing like the lights are too bright for them right now. Trae Young dropped 27 points and nine assists in Game 4 to lead the team offensively. The Knicks had to throw so much defensive pressure at Young that it allowed other role players like Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic to get going early on. Galo had 21 points while Bogdanovic added in 12.
Game 5 is going to be another tough environment for the Hawks to play in, as Young and company were relentlessly heckled the last time they played there. They can expect the same treatment here.
The key here is that the Knicks league-leading defence hasn’t been able to stop the Hawks so far, while the Knicks offence has been missing in action. If those two trends don’t change, the Hawks will win again.
New York Knicks
Despite it being the best game for Randle in the series, the team was still walloped by 17 points in Game 4. Randle dropped 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while RJ Barrett scored 21 points and picked up six rebounds of his own. What’s concerning is that Randle, Barrett and Derrick Rose all played pretty well in the same game, combining for 63 points, yet the team still lost by 17. When you start to look around, it’s unclear where the Knicks could even get more offence from.
The other key is that the Knicks have been unable to stop Atlanta defensively. New York is a team that has prided itself on defence throughout the season and they seem to be straying away from that as the series goes on. They allowed a league-low 104.7 points per game this season but the Hawks have gone above that mark in each of their three wins. If the Knicks want any opportunity to win this game, they will need big games from both Randle and Barrett while simultaneously clamping down defensively. Otherwise, they could see their fantastic season come to an early end.
ATL
NY