Game 2 between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks arrives Monday night with New York already holding a 1-0 series lead after a 113-102 win in the opener. The Knicks seized control with a strong third quarter and now aim to protect home court again at Madison Square Garden. Atlanta, meanwhile, showed enough offensive firepower in stretches to suggest this series is far from over, but consistency and defensive execution remain concerns. Before this contest tips off, I’ll break down Hawks vs Knicks Game 2 and make my pick for it in the betting markets.
Hawks vs Knicks Game 2 Pick
- Pick: Knicks -5.5
- Confidence: 4 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks
- Date & Time: Monday, April 20, 8:00 PM ET
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
- Broadcast: NBC, Peacock
Key Storylines
New York enters Game 2 as a favorite after winning six of its last seven games and controlling much of Game 1. The Knicks made key defensive adjustments after halftime in the opener, limiting Atlanta’s guard-driven offense and pulling away late. That ability to adapt mid-game could be a major factor again.
Atlanta’s offensive approach, centered around guard play and perimeter ball movement, created problems early in Game 1 but faded as the Knicks increased their physical pressure on defense. The Hawks will need a full-game effort this time, especially on defense, where they struggled to contain New York’s balanced scoring attack.
Key Players
New York Knicks
- Jalen Brunson: Averaging 26.0 points and 6.8 assists per game, Brunson sets the tone offensively and exploded for 28 points in Game 1.
- Karl-Anthony Towns: A dominant interior presence with 25 points in the opener and 11.9 rebounds per game this season, giving New York a clear edge inside.
- OG Anunoby: Contributed 18 points in Game 1 and provides elite perimeter defense that disrupts Atlanta’s guards.
- Josh Hart: A key glue player who posted a double-double in Game 1 and impacts the game with rebounding and defense.
Atlanta Hawks
- Jalen Johnson: Leads the team with 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, making him the engine of Atlanta’s offense.
- CJ McCollum: Scored 26 points in Game 1 and serves as a primary scoring option, especially in half-court sets.
- Onyeka Okongwu: Added 19 points in the opener and must hold his own inside against Towns.
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker: A key perimeter contributor who helps space the floor and support the guard-heavy attack of the Hawks.
Stat Comparison
| Category | Hawks | Knicks |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 118.5 | 116.5 |
| Field Goal % | 47% | 48% |
| Rebounds per game | 43.5 | 45.6 |
| Assists per game | 30.1 | 27.4 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- New York won Game 1 by 11 points and has taken two of three regular-season meetings.
- The Knicks are 45-39 against the spread this season.
- Atlanta is 44-39 against the spread heading into Game 2 against the Knicks.
Hawks vs Knicks Model Projection
- Score Projection: Hawks 112 – Knicks 119
- Win Probability: Hawks 35%, Knicks 65%
New York has the edge in depth, rebounding, and defensive versatility, and that combination showed clearly in the second half of Game 1. Atlanta can score in bunches, but sustaining that output for four quarters against this Knicks defense is a different challenge. I am going to lay the points with the Knicks at home here, though I do expect things to get more interesting as the series heads to Atlanta.
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