Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks Betting Preview/Player Prop
02 June 2021
The Hawks were actually the fourth seed in the East this season despite winning the Southeast Division. Atlanta quickly stole homecourt advantage with a Game 1 win and then won both games on their home floor.
New York was able to earn the fourth seed in the East after going 41-31 during the regular season. This Knicks team is going to be a problem for years to come, but they want to keep this season alive with a win in front of their home fans.
The New York Knicks are 1.5-point favorites over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
Hawks Led By Young Star
The Hawks play with a ton of toughness and energy, and it helps that they have a future superstar to lead the way. Trae Young sets the tone for this offense, and he has been tough to stop for the Knicks.
Young is averaging 27.5 points and ten assists per game this series, and one more great game should eliminate the Knicks. The Hawks are shooting 38 percent from the three-point line, and their ability to shoot has frustrated the Knicks.
Atlanta has also held the Knicks to less than 96 points in each of the last two games, and that defense will play a role in this game. The Hawks want to score, but they have been able to play well on both ends of the floor.
New York Needs Offense
If the Knicks are going to stay alive in this series, then they must find more offense. New York was not a great offensive team during the regular season, but things have been even worse in the postseason.
Julius Randle was an All-Star this season, but he is averaging just 16.8 points per game in this series against the Knicks. Derrick Rose has led the Knicks with 22.8 points per game, but he is going to need some help.
New York will attempt to win this game with another great defensive effort, but this team must score points to avoid elimination.
Knicks Keep Season Alive
There is no love lost between the Hawks and the Knicks, and the intensity level for this game should be tremendous. Look for plenty of trash talking and physicality in this one, and has that has been the theme all series.
This should be another low-scoring affair, and that plays right into the hands of the Knicks. New York is going to get a big game from Julius Randle in Game 5 as he comes into the Garden with something to prove.
The home crowd is going to be a huge boost for the Knicks, and that will allow them to take over the game late. Bet the New York Knicks -1.5 as they find a way to beat the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday to keep their season alive.
Player Prop
Reggie Bullock (-127) Over 10.5 Points
It’s been a roller coaster series for both the Knicks and Bullock with the bottom coming on Sunday in the Hawks’ 113-96 blowout win as Bullock was held scoreless on just 4 shot attempts in 34 minutes.
But when the 30-year-old out of North Carolina is going well, he energizes the whole team. That was on display in New York’s Game 3 win when he triggered a bit second-half run while sinking 4 of 7 three-pointers and finishing with 15 points.
So far, Bullock has averaged just 8.0 ppg in the series, well below his 10.9 regular season average. Drawing the assignment of guarding Trae Young certainly explains much of that drop off.
But the Knicks should be looking to get his offense going tonight as they face a close-out game at home. We’ll take a more offensive-minded Bullock (-127) to bounce back and go over 10.5 points.
