The Knicks already grabbed a 1-0 series lead at home, and Game 2 sets up as another tempo battle: Atlanta wants to run (top-tier pace), while New York is perfectly comfortable turning it into a half-court, free-throw heavy grind.
The market is pricing the Knicks as the clear side, but the more interesting decision is whether Atlanta’s speed can actually raise the game environment against a Knicks team that plays slower and has leaned Under frequently down the stretch.
Odds from Bookmaker.eu as of 6:06 a.m. ET on April 20, 2026.
Odds & Game Info
| Item | Atlanta Hawks | New York Knicks |
|---|---|---|
| Tip time | 8:00 PM ET | |
| Arena | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) | |
| Moneyline | +188 | -225 |
| Spread | +5.5 (-110) | -5.5 (-110) |
| Total | Over 217.5 (-108) | Under 217.5 (-112) |
Team Overview
| Team | Record | Last 10 | ATS | O/U | ORtg | DRtg | Pace | Key Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawks | 46-36 | 6-4 | 44-39-0 | 40-43-0 | 116.1 | 113.7 | 101.65 | Jock Landale (Out), Onyeka Okongwu (Questionable) |
| Knicks | 53-29 | 6-4 | 45-39-0 | 39-45-0 | 119.8 | 113.3 | 96.80 | OG Anunoby (Probable) |
Team Recaps
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta’s profile is pretty clear: they play fast (101.65 pace) and score (118.5 PPG), but they also allow points (116.0 opponent PPG). That combination creates wider ranges of outcomes, especially when the Hawks can force opponents into transition possessions early.
From a betting-results standpoint, Atlanta has been slightly better than average against the number (44-39-0 ATS). Totals have skewed Under overall (40-43-0), but their road O/U split has leaned Over (24-18-0), which matters if they can successfully speed New York up even a little.
In Game 1 (a 113-102 loss), Atlanta’s biggest problem was the stripe: they went 12-of-19 on free throws while New York lived there (25-of-30). When you lose the free-throw math by that margin, it’s hard to steal a road playoff game, even if you’re generating enough shot volume from three.
New York Knicks
New York brings the more playoff-friendly baseline: strong record (53-29), elite home mark (30-10), and a scoring margin that matches the profile of a team that can control games (+6.4 point differential, 116.5 PPG scored, 110.1 allowed). They also play slower than league average (96.80 pace), which naturally compresses possessions and makes it tougher for opponents to run up variance.
The Knicks’ efficiency stats line up with what you’d expect from that record: a 119.8 ORtg paired with a 113.3 DRtg. Betting-wise, they’ve been a major home-floor ATS team (29-13-0 ATS at home), and their recent totals have been Under-heavy.
Game 1 looked like a Knicks win script: fewer mistakes than the opponent at the margins, a big free-throw edge, and efficient three-point shooting (12-of-25 from deep). If OG Anunoby goes (listed Probable), it also supports their ability to stay physical on the perimeter without sacrificing spacing.
Matchup Keys
- Can Atlanta force pace? Hawks pace (101.65) vs Knicks pace (96.80). If New York dictates tempo again, the total becomes much tougher to clear.
- Free-throw gap: Game 1 FTAs were Knicks 30 vs Hawks 19 (and 25 makes vs 12). If that repeats, Atlanta needs a big 3-point advantage to compensate.
- 3-point efficiency swing: New York hit 48.0% from three in Game 1 (12-of-25). Atlanta took more threes (37 attempts) but shot 37.8% (14-of-37). If the Knicks cool off but keep the FT edge, the game still trends Under.
- Atlanta frontcourt availability: With Landale out and Okongwu questionable, the Hawks’ rotation optionality at center is under pressure, especially in a series that often turns into half-court rebounding and foul management.
Betting Trends
- Knicks are 30-10 at home this season.
- Hawks are 22-19 on the road this season.
- Knicks are 29-13-0 ATS at home.
- Hawks are 23-19-0 ATS on the road.
- Knicks have gone Under in 8 of their last 10 graded games.
- Hawks have gone Under in 6 of their last 10 graded games.
- Knicks are 39-45-0 to the Over this season (Under has cashed more often than not).
- Hawks are 40-43-0 to the Over this season (slight Under lean overall).
- Game 1 finished 215 total points (113-102), staying Under 217.5.
Best Bet
Under 217.5 (-112)
New York’s slower pace (96.80) is the anchor here, and it matters more in the playoffs when possessions are more likely to end in late-clock shots and free throws instead of runouts. Even with Atlanta’s speed, the Knicks’ recent Under profile is strong, and Game 1 landed at 215 despite New York shooting well from three. If the Hawks don’t win the free-throw battle back, they’re asking to shoot their way to an Over against a team built to shrink the game.
Units: 3/5
Predicted Score
Knicks 110, Hawks 104
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