Hawks vs Knicks Game 2 Preview: Can the Knicks Respond After Atlanta Claimed Closely Contested Game 1 Win?

The Hawks vs Knicks series was the first-round series that the oddsmakers thought would be the closest, and game one has done little to throw that theory out of the window.

Atlanta took early control of the series by winning the opener by a bucket at Madison Square Garden. Game two puts New York in an urgent position. Not only do they need the win, they need their best player to be better. That is how Atlanta got the win, as Trae Young was the best player on the court in the series opener.

Atlanta Hawks (1-0) vs New York Knicks (0-1), TNT, 7:30 PM ET

Hawks vs Knicks Schedule and Results

• Sunday, May 23 | Game 1 (at New York): Hawks 109-107 Knicks, 7 ET, TNT
• Wednesday, May 26 | Game 2 (at New York): Hawks vs Knicks, 7:30 ET, TNT
• Friday, May 28 | Game 3 (at Atlanta): Knicks vs Hawks, 7 ET, ESPN
• Sunday, May 30 | Game 4 (at Atlanta): Knicks vs Hawks, 1 ET, ABC
• Wednesday, June 2 | Game 5 (at New York): Hawks vs Knicks, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
• Friday, June 4 | Game 6 (at Atlanta): Knicks vs Hawks, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
• Sunday, June 6 | Game 7 (at New York): Hawks vs Knicks, TBD, TBD (if necessary)

Hawks vs Knicks Series Odds

Odds to Win the Series

• Atlanta Hawks: -245
• New York Knicks: +194

Series Spread

• Atlanta Hawks -1.5 (-124)
• New York Knicks +1.5 (+102)

Series Correct Score Odds

• Hawks 4-0 +500
• 4-1 Hawks +380
• Hawks 4-2 +330
• 4-3 Hawks +500
• Knicks 4-1 +1300
• 4-2 Knicks +650
• Knicks 4-3 +450

Hawks vs Knicks Game 2 Betting Odds

• Spread: Hawks +2 (-110), Knicks -2 (-110)
• Total: OVER 213 (-108), UNDER 213 (-112)
• Moneyline: Hawks +110, Knicks -130

Hawks vs Knicks odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Wednesday, May 26 at 1:40 pm ET. For more NBA betting odds, check out our NBA odds page. It features updated odds from BetOnline and other top online sportsbooks.

Trae Young Is a Difference Maker

For a playoff debut, things could not have gone much better for guard Trae Young. On the road, he led his team to victory with 32 points and 10 assists. Young controlled the game like a playoff veteran. It was impressive, but now all he has to do is do it again.

Backcourt mate Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 18 points, continuing the strong play he showed in the second half of the season. He also led Atlanta with a +17 for the game.

Atlanta was impressive as they did not seem overwhelmed by the intensity of the playoff stage. They played within themselves, even after giving up an early first-quarter lead. You have to think the steady hand of coach Nate McMillan will be even more valuable in the playoffs than it was during the season.

Atlanta got the win and cover in game one. They are the consensus play in game two as an underdog, but the line is going up. That tells you the money is hitting the other side.

Knicks Are Right There With Atlanta

The Knicks might have lost the opener, but they have to feel kind of good about things overall. They know they did not play their best game and were still very close. That is probably why they are favorites once again in game two.

Unfortunately, do-everything forward Julius Randle had one of his worst games of the season last time out. He made just 6 of 23 from the field. If he makes just one more shot maybe the Knicks win. That is a reasonable way to look at the situation. They don’t need him to go off. He just needs to be himself.

The veteran reserve guard duo of Alec Burks and Derrick Rose scored 44 points. That is more than they usually contribute, but it’s not so far out of range that they couldn’t do it again.

All in all, New York played a pretty good game. The defense just didn’t force turnovers the way it did during the regular season. Atlanta committed just six for the game, and that allowed the Hawks to have consistent offense throughout. It wasn’t pretty; it was just professional.

New York beat Atlanta all three times they played during the regular season. This opening loss is no reason to think we are not going to have the long close series most predicted.

Hawks vs Knicks Game 2 Betting Consensus

• Spread: 67% Hawks, 33% Knicks (at +/-2)
• Total: 67% OVER, 33% UNDER (at O/U 212.5)
• Moneyline: 56% Hawks, 44% Knicks

Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More