Player-Props & Picks for Hawks vs Knicks (Game 5)
By Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball
Published:
- The Hawks and Knicks resume their 1st Round series tonight in New York tied 2-2
- Josh Hart is set up to exploit a undermanned Atlanta frontcourt on the glass
- Keep reading for my favorite player-props and picks for Hawks vs Knicks Game 5
The Hawks and Knicks return to New York for Game 5 of their 1st Round series the same way they left the Big Apple. All tied up. The Knicks evened the best-of-7 series 2-2 in Game 4, and online sportsbooks expect them to take control of this matchup in Game 5. They’re currently listed as 6.5-point favorites in the NBA odds, but rather than bet a side or total in this contest, I’m going to focus on the player props market.
Keep reading for my favorite player props and picks for Hawks vs Knicks Game 5 below, plus the analysis behind each selection.
Hawks vs Knicks Player-Prop Odds
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My favorite NBA props pick tonight is over 8.5 rebounds for Josh Hart. Yes, you have to pay a bit of juice to get the line (-130) but the Hawks have yet to prove they can contain him on the glass. I’m also betting under 18.5 points for Nickeil Alexander-Walker. His efficiency has fallen off a cliff, and I don’t expect that to change versus a very good New York defense.
Hawks vs Knicks Player-Prop Picks
- Josh Hart Over 8.5 Rebounds (-130 at DraftKings)
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker Under 18.5 Points (-127 at Bet365)
SPORTSBOOK
New York makes a living by dominating the glass, and Hart is the absolute catalyst. Across the first four games of this series, Hart is pulling down 11.3 rebounds per game. Despite this massive production, his best-available rebounding line remains somewhat suppressed at 8.5.
What makes this prop incredibly appealing is how his volume spikes in front of the Madison Square Garden crowd. In his two home appearances during this series, Hart’s rebounding average skyrocketed to an elite 13.5 boards per game. He is playing massive minutes and simply out-hustling an Atlanta team missing frontcourt depth.
Given Atlanta’s documented rebounding deficiencies and Hart’s established floor, this over provides a tremendous statistical edge.
On the Atlanta side, targeting the under on Alexander-Walker’s inflated 18.5 points prop offers excellent value. While the market anticipates volume, his actual on-court efficiency paints a much bleaker picture.
Through four games, Alexander-Walker is averaging just 13.8 points per game. His primary issue is finding a rhythm inside the arc against New York’s physical perimeter defenders. He is shooting a highly inefficient 34.6% from the field overall, converting just 5 of his 22 two-point attempts for the series.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Playoff Stats
New York’s defense is limiting opponents to just 104.0 points per game on 44.8% shooting this postseason. It’s one of the main reasons they’re a popular pick in the NBA Championship odds. They do not easily surrender uncontested looks, making it incredibly difficult for a struggling secondary scorer to suddenly post near-20-point production.
With a 100% success rate to the under on this prop line so far in the postseason, fading his scoring output is my top play for the road underdogs tonight.
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Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.