New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks Game 4 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds
It’s a terrific Saturday of NBA basketball with four playoff games, and the Eastern Conference sixth-seeded Atlanta Hawks try for a 3-1 series lead over the third-seeded Knicks. But New York is a 1.5-point favourite on the NBA odds with a total of 214.5 points.
Knicks vs. Hawks NBA Betting Odds
Enjoy Saturday’s NBA action because it might be the last time this postseason there are a least four playoff games being staged. New York had been -185 on the series line entering Game 3 but with that loss dropped to a +100 underdog with Atlanta shifting from +155 to -130. I still like New York in seven (would host that), and that’s the favoured exact result at +215.
Arguably the biggest question entering Game 3 regards Knicks starting forward Mikal Bridges, the NBA’s ironman currently with 638 consecutive regular-season games played. Bridges has not missed a game in his career since being drafted in 2018.
Bridges wasn’t the only reason why New York was upset at home in Game 3, but he was a part of it as he was scoreless and was a minus-26 with four turnovers. Seriously, you and me could do better. Coach Mike Brown pulled Bridges early in the third and went with sixth man Miles McBride. Bridges only returned for only Atlanta’s final offensive possession. I’m sure Bridges stays in the starting lineup for Game 4, but that’s something to monitor.
New York Knicks
Projected the Knicks to lose Game 3 in Atlanta by a score of 110-109 and barely missed as New York fell 109-108 in the second straight one-point result in the series. The sportsbooks hate that, by the way. They need a clear winner either way.
When Jalen Brunson is not the Knicks’ leading scorer, they usually do lose. While Brunson had 26 points Thursday, former Raptor OG Anunoby led the way with 29 points while adding nine boards. Anunoby is a good player, but he should not be leading the Knicks in scoring in a playoff game.
New York had a chance to win while trailing by a point late, but Brunson dribbled under the basket before making an errant pass that resulted in a turnover. The Hawks were swarming Brunson to not let him beat them, and the Knicks seemed clueless. But New York didn’t really deserve to win, trailing by 11 with 8:06 remaining.
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta’s CJ McCollum has been the story of this series and was terrific again in Game 3 with 23 points. He had been scoreless in the second half until hitting the go-ahead bucket with 12.7 seconds left. McCollum has outplayed Jalen Brunson, and that’s why Atlanta is up 2-1.
Jalen Johnson blew up with his first career playoff double-double with 24 points and 10 boards along with eight assists. He became the first Hawk since Paul Millsap in April 2017 with at least 20/10/5.
The Hawks turned up the defence in Game 3, holding New York to 43.0 per cent from the field, 28.6 per cent from deep and forcing 18 turnovers. Atlanta had 10 steals and eight blocks. It was only the fifth time since at least the 1982-83 season the franchise had at least 10 steals and eight blocks in a playoff game.
During the regular season, Atlanta had at least 10 steals in 40 games, tied for most in the league. The Hawks are 15-1 SU in their past 16 at home.
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