The New York Knicks lead the Eastern Conference first-round series 1-0 after a 113-102 victory in Game 1 on Saturday night. Namely, Jalen Brunson set the pace for New York with 28 points. While Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the second half, scoring 19 of his 25 points after the break to secure the NBA lines win at Madison Square Garden.
Wise Guys like New York’s superior depth and defensive versatility. The Knicks’ bench rotation, featuring Jordan Clarkson and Mitchell Robinson, outplayed Atlanta’s reserves. In turn, Atlanta struggled to maintain offensive rhythm when their starters rested. Defensively, the Knicks held the Hawks to 43.7 percent shooting from the field and only 47 points in the second half. New York also capitalized on second-chance opportunities, outscoring Atlanta 13-7 in that category and 22-13 in fast-break points.
For Game 2, the Atlanta Hawks need a more efficient scoring output from Jalen Johnson, who recorded 23 points in the opener. Correlate that the Hawks will likely prioritize increasing the pace to exploit their transition game. They ranked much higher in regular-season pace than the Knicks. However, they must find a way to counter the frontcourt size of Towns and Robinson, who combined to tilt the rebounding and interior scoring in New York’s favor.
Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks NHL Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Monday, April 20, 2026, 8:00 PM ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Madison Square Garden in New York City. |
| TV Coverage: | NBC |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawks | +6 ( -110 ) | 218 ( -110 ) | +200 |  |
| Knicks | -6 ( -110 ) | 218 ( -110 ) | -250 | |
| ||||
The second game of the Eastern Conference first-round series between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026. Game 2 will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Tip-off is set for 8:00 PM ET. Fans can watch the national broadcast on NBC.
Hawks at Knicks Betting Odds Analysis
The Knicks enter Game 2 as favorites. Caused by their defensive consistency and the elite two-man game between Brunson and Towns. Maintaining pressure on Atlanta’s wings through perimeter defenders OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges will be critical for New York to take a 2-0 series lead.
Atlanta Hawks Team Overview
The Atlanta Hawks concluded the 2025-26 regular season with a 46-36 record, securing the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference and the Southeast Division title. Certainly, this season represented a major offshore betting turning point for the franchise after the mid-season trade of Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. In his absence, the team has shifted toward a more balanced, high-paced offensive system that led the league in assists per game.
Jalen Johnson has transitioned into Atlanta’s primary role. To show, he leads the squad in points (22.5 per game), rebounds (10.3 per game), and assists (7.9 per game). His breakout performance earned him his first All-Star nod and solidified his position as the centerpiece of the roster. The starting unit is rounded out by veteran playmaker CJ McCollum, defensive specialist Dyson Daniels, and versatile wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
New York Knicks Team Overview
The New York Knicks finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 53-29 record, earning the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division’s second-best mark. This NBA odds season saw a major shift on the sidelines as head coach Mike Brown took over the program. Accordingly, Brown led the team to an NBA Cup title and their fourth straight postseason appearance. The roster is built around the high-scoring backcourt of Jalen Brunson and the versatile interior presence of Karl-Anthony Towns.
Overall, Brunson led the team in scoring and playmaking with averages of 26 points and nearly 7 assists per game. While Towns anchored the boards with nearly 12 rebounds per contest. The lineup is further strengthened by elite perimeter defenders OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, who provide significant two-way versatility. To improve their bench depth during the season, the Knicks added guard Jose Alvarado and forward Jeremy Sochan through mid-season moves.
Hawks at Knicks Free SBG Picks
One of the most consistent betting trends in this matchup is the Knicks’ home performance. Specifically, that is where they have shown a strong ability to cover the spread when playing as favorites. Many analysts suggest the under on the total points is a viable play, given that New York operates at one of the league’s slowest paces. In like manner, they have tightened their defensive rotations significantly in the second half of the series opener.
Hawks at Knicks SBG Best Bet: New York Knicks and Under the Total.