Knicks vs Hawks Game 5 Odds, Picks, Lineups and Injury Report
- The New York Knicks are home favorites to win Game of their playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks
- Atlanta leads the best-of-seven set 3-1 and can close out the series with a victory
- New York (0-13) has never rallied from a 3-1 series deficit – see below for our pick
Through four games of this NBA Eastern Conference playoff series between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, the script remains relatively unchanged. Trae Young goes off, Julius Randle is off and suddenly, the favored Knicks are down to their last lifeline.
Oddsmakers aren’t ready to write off New York’s NBA team just yet. Down 3-1 to the Hawks, the Knicks are home at Madison Square Garden for Game 5 and are being established as -121 home favorites.
New York is also the 1.5-point chalk for Game 5. Atlanta is 5-1 against the spread over the past six games.
Knicks vs Hawks Game 5 Odds
| Player | Moneyline | Spread at DraftKings | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | +102 | +1.5 (-110) | O 208.0 (-112) |
| New York Knicks | -121 | -1.5 (-112) | U 208.0 (-109) |
Odds as of June 1st
Tipoff for Wednesday’s game at MSG is 7:30pm ET. The contest is being broadcast by TNT.
Injury Report
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (foot) is without a clear timetable as he recovers from surgery on his right foot, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reports.
Taj Gibson started at center for New York in Game 4. Nerlens Noel tweaked his ankle in Game 2 and played 15 minutes in Game 4.
Will we see Nerlens Noel suit up in an all important Game 5 for the Knicks? 👀 pic.twitter.com/j7VThUWzZd
— Knicks Nation (@KnicksNationCP) June 1, 2021
Atlanta small forward De’Andre Hunter (right knee soreness) is listed as probable for Wednesday’s game, while forward Cam Reddish (Achilles) is getting closer to returning to game action.
Hawks point guard Brandon Goodwin is out for the season due to a minor respiratory condition that requires treatment.
Hawks vs Knicks Projected Lineups
| Trae Young | PG | Derrick Rose |
| Bogdan Bogdanovic | SG | RJ Barrett |
| De’Andre Hunter | SF | Reggie Bullock |
| John Collins | PF | Julius Randle |
| Clint Capela | C | Taj Gibson |
Trae Bien
Through the first four games of this series, Young is averaging 27.5 points and 10 assists. At the same time, he’s been guilty of just 2.8 turnovers per game.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Young has created 204 points through the first four games of the series. That’s the second most over the past 25 seasons.
The Knicks sought to attack Young defensively in Game 4, hoping to exploit his well-documented liabilites when the other team has the ball. It didn’t work. He was again the best player on the floor.
Young scored a game-high 27 points and also dished out a leading nine assists. He continues to get plenty of support for his efforts. Six Atlanta players hit for double digits in Game 4.
Power forward John Collins scored 22 points. Danilo Gallinari netted 21 points off the bench.
Knicks Show Mild Uptick
Nets power forward Julius Randle scored 23 points in Game 4 for his best offensive performance of the series. However, he still shot poorly (7-of-19 from the field) and turned the ball over five times.
Julius Randle on where the Knicks stand entering a win-or-go-home Game 5:
"This is who we are as a team/ We've been counted out all year. The odds have been stacked against us according to the experts all year, and this is where we're comfortable." pic.twitter.com/uLS0XKvRkC
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) June 1, 2021
Shooting guard RJ Barrett also delivered his best game of the playoffs, scoring 21 points. However, small forward Reggie Bullock failed to score a single point during 34 minutes on the floor. On the other hand, Obi Toppin tallied a career-high 13 points in Game 4.
Frustration appeared to be getting the better of New York as Game 4 neared a close. Randle was called for a flagrant foul on Gallanari. Bullock was handed a technical foul when he refused to leave the vicinity of the Atlanta huddle during a timeout.
Trendspotting
The Knicks have been outscored by a combined 28 points over the past two games. Atlanta’s 113 points in Game 4 were the most surrendered by New York since a 128-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns on May 7th.
Hawks shooting guard Bodgan Bodganovic has made two or more 3-point field goals in 20 straight games (92-for-197 .467).
.@TheTraeYoung is 1 of 3 players to have scored 30+ points in back to back games against the Knicks at MSG in a single playoff series: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee, in 1970 in the Eastern Division Finals, and Jerry West also in 1970 w/Lakers in the NBA Finals. #SportRadar
— Bob Rathbun (@BobRathbunTV) June 1, 2021
New York allowed an NBA-low 104.7 points per game during the regular season. The Knicks haven’t won a game in which they’ve allowed more than 110 points since a 137-127 overtime win over the Hawks on April 21st. They’ve not won when allowing more than 110 points in regulation since a 131-113 victory over the Washington Wizards on March 23.
- Pick: Atlanta Hawks (+102)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
