Hawks vs Knicks Best Bets, Picks & How to Watch Game 1

• The Knicks are 5.5-point favorites over the Hawks in Game 1 of their 1st Round series
• Jalen Brunson averaged 29 points and 8 assists in three contests versus Atlanta this season
• See my Hawks vs Knicks best bets, picks and how to watch Game 1, below

Today’s four-game NBA Playoff extravaganza continues with Game 1 of the Hawks vs Knicks series, in the East’s 3 vs 6 matchup. Online sportsbooks are siding with New York by 5.5 points in the latest NBA odds, but I think you can make an argument that the line isn’t nearly high enough.

This series is loaded with star power, as the Knicks rely on the elite talent of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, while the Hawks counter with veteran floor general CJ McCollum and dynamic scorer Jalen Johnson.

Ultimately, New York simply has too many ways to hurt Atlanta, which is why I’m making them one of my Hawks vs Knicks best bets. Keep reading for the other reasons why, plus my additional picks and how to watch Game 1.

Hawks vs Knicks Best Bets

• New York Knicks -5.5 (-115 at Caesars)

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Before I get into some matchup analysis on why I’m backing the Knicks to cover the spread, let’s look at at the situational trends. New York, a top-8 NBA Championship odds contender, is 3-1 against the spread as a favorite over their last four games. They have also stepped up to the level of their competition, posting an identical 3-1 spread mark against opponents with a winning record in that same stretch.

From a matchup perspective, New York simply has too much size and scoring. Looking back at the three regular season matches, Brunson had his way with Atlanta averaging 29 points and 8 assists per outing. They couldn’t contain him one-on-one, and when they got tired of letting him score at will, they would send extra bodies aimlessly at him. That exposed their poor rotational defense, yielding countless open looks for Knick shooters.

Inside, Atlanta doesn’t have a competent body to handle KAT, who was able to get to the rim whenever he wanted. Sticking with the interior, Mitchell Robinson was an offensive rebounding vacuum versus the Hawks, gobbling up loose balls and getting easy put backs.

Then, there’s also the offense that OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges can create. It’s an embarrassment of riches offensively for the Knicks, while their top-seven defensive rating is proof they can control an inconsistent McCollum and Johnson.

Hawks vs Knicks Picks

• Under 219.5 (-126 on DraftKings)

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I’m also betting under 219.5 today, as the total has risen three points since opening odds were released. That’s way too high given the strength of New York’s defense, and the situational trends agree. Unders are 5-1 in the Knicks’ last six games at home against opponents with a winning record. Furthermore, unders have cashed in five of the Hawks’ last six games on the road against top-tier scoring defenses.

Hawks vs Knicks Odds

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Knicks vs Hawks Betting Splits

Moving over to the NBA public betting splits, where 58.2% of the tickets and 62.7% of the cash are laying the points with the home favorite. Because the money slightly outpaces the tickets, I can infer that larger bankrolls trust the Knicks to handle their business.

The total, however, presents a massive contrarian opportunity. A staggering 96.5% of tickets and 98.0% of the money are riding on a shootout. The public expects both offenses to catch fire, likely swayed by the Hawks’ recent high-scoring games versus sub-par defenses. I am aggressively fading this completely unified consensus. The trends favoring the under when the Knicks host winning teams proves the market is vastly overvaluing the potential for a track meet.

How to Watch Hawks vs Knicks

Tip-off for Game 1 of the Hawks vs Knicks 1st Round series is set for just after 6 pm ET tonight, from Madison Square Garden, in New York, NY. Amazon Prime Video will provide broadcast coverage across the United States, while TSN will handle Canadian TV duties.