The 3-seed Knicks head to Atlanta for Game 3 with this first-round series tied 1-1 after splitting two tight ones in New York (NYK +11 on April 18, ATL +1 on April 20). Now the tempo tug-of-war shifts to State Farm Arena: New York wants it slower and more physical, Atlanta wants possessions.
The market is basically calling this a coin flip, with New York laying 1 on the road and a modest 216.5 total. **Odds from Bet105 as of 10:51 a.m. ET on April 22, 2026.**
Odds & Game Info
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | New York Knicks @ Atlanta Hawks |
| Date / Time (ET) | April 23, 2026 — 7:10 PM ET |
| Arena | State Farm Arena (Atlanta) |
| Spread | Knicks -1.0 (-108) | Hawks +1.0 (-112) |
| Moneyline | Knicks -110 | Hawks -106 |
| Total | 216.5 — Over (-110) | Under (-110) |
Team Overview
| Team | Record | Last 10 | ATS | O/U | ORtg | DRtg | Pace | Key Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | 53-29 (Home 32-11, Away 23-19) | 6-4 | 45-40-0 (Away 16-26-0) | 39-46-0 | 118.7 | 112.3 | 97.7 | None listed as OUT |
| Atlanta Hawks | 46-36 (Home 24-17, Away 23-20) | 6-4 | 45-39-0 (Home 21-20-0) | 40-44-0 | 115.0 | 112.9 | 102.5 | Jock Landale (OUT) |
Team Recaps
New York Knicks
New York’s profile is clear: elite efficiency with a **118.7 ORtg** while playing at a bottom-five **97.7 pace**. That combination tends to shrink totals and keep margins tight, especially when they can control the glass (32.8% offensive rebounding rate) and avoid empty trips (13.9% turnover rate).
The Knicks’ recent form is more mixed than their seed suggests. Over their last 10, they’re **6-4**, but the defensive trend line has slipped (last-10 **117.2 DRtg**, up 4.9 points vs their season baseline). In this series, they’ve already played two games that landed **213 and 215 total points**, both under tonight’s 216.5.
From a betting angle, New York has been a very different team away from MSG: **16-26 ATS on the road** despite a strong overall ATS mark (45-40). That road cover rate matters here because laying points is part of the ask at -1.
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta brings a very different shape: **102.5 pace (top-five)** with a solid two-way baseline (**115.0 ORtg, 112.9 DRtg**). The Hawks also generate more disruption than New York, ranking well in forcing turnovers (15.6% forced TOV rate), which can manufacture the easy points that swing short spreads.
Their last-10 results are also **6-4**, but with a stronger underlying trend: last-10 **+5.5 net rating** (last-10 **117.9 ORtg** paired with **112.4 DRtg**). That steadier defense is a big reason they were able to win the rock-fight in Game 2 (107-106) even without a huge scoring night.
Totals-wise, Atlanta has leaned under at home: **16-25 O/U in home games**. With the Knicks dictating pace and both teams ranking in the bottom tier of free-throw rate (ATL 23.4%, NYK 23.8%), Atlanta’s home environment has not automatically meant track meets.
Matchup Keys
- Possession count: Knicks play at 97.7 pace vs Hawks at 102.5. If New York wins the tempo battle again, 216.5 can be a tall climb.
- Turnover pressure: Hawks force turnovers at a 15.6% rate (top tier). Knicks’ 13.9% offensive TOV% is fine, but not “immune,” and live-ball turnovers are where Atlanta’s speed shows up.
- Second-chance math: Knicks’ 32.8% ORB% is a real lever against an Atlanta team that’s closer to average on the glass (29.1% ORB%). Extra shots matter in a likely one-possession spread.
- Shot-making efficiency: Both offenses are efficient by eFG% (NYK 55.7%, ATL 55.4%). If either side’s opponent eFG% defense cracks (NYK 54.1% allowed, ATL 54.6% allowed), the total becomes more fragile.
- Free throws (or lack of them): Both teams are low free-throw-rate offenses (ATL 23.4%, NYK 23.8%). Fewer whistles usually means fewer “free” points and fewer stop-start scoring runs.
Betting Trends
- Knicks are 45-40 ATS overall, but just 16-26 ATS on the road.
- Hawks are 45-39 ATS overall and 21-20 ATS at home.
- Knicks are 39-46 O/U this season (Unders have been the majority result).
- Hawks are 40-44 O/U overall, and 16-25 O/U at home (home Unders have hit 25 times).
- The last two games in this series finished with 213 and 215 total points, both under 216.5.
- Knicks are coming off a game that stayed under (April 20 vs ATL: 213 total points).
- Hawks are coming off a game that stayed under (April 20 vs NYK: 213 total points).
- Both teams are 6-4 in their last 10, but Atlanta’s last-10 profile is cleaner (last-10 112.4 DRtg) than New York’s (last-10 117.2 DRtg).
Best Bet
Under 216.5 (-110) (3 units)
These teams have already shown the script: two games, two unders (213 and 215 total points), and neither offense lives at the free-throw line. New York’s slow pace (97.7) is the biggest structural factor, and Atlanta’s home O/U profile has also leaned heavily under (16-25). With the spread essentially a pick and the series tight, a half-court, possession-by-possession game is still the most likely shape, and that favors the under more than either side.
Predicted Score
Hawks 109, Knicks 106
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