The New York Knicks needed a strong second-half defensive effort to win Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series 113-102 over the Atlanta Hawks. Can the Knicks go up 2-0 in the series, or will the Hawks head back to Atlanta with the series tied?

New York shot the ball extremely well and got big games from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns to hold off the Hawks in the series opener on Saturday. Brunson and Towns combined for 53 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, and two steals. The duo was 15 of 35 from the field and 17 of 18 from the free-throw line. Towns also blocked three shots.

Knicks Vs. Hawks Game 2: Preview, Odds, Prediction, and Fantasy Picks

Leading 57-55 at halftime, the Knicks ratcheted up their defense in the third quarter. The Knicks, who led by as many as 10 in the quarter, outscored the Hawks 26-19 in the stanza. The Knicks limited the Hawks to 34.8% shooting from the field and 2 of 9 (22.9%) from deep in the third. They led by as many as 19 early in the fourth.

Statistically speaking, the Knicks dominated the Hawks. The Knicks and Hawks each made 38 field goals,s though the Knicks outshot the Hawks 47.5%-to-43.1%. While the Hawks made two more threes than the Knicks (14-12), New York made 13 more free throws (25-12) and won the rebound battle (45-40). The Knicks’ bench also outscored the Hawks 20-13.

OG Anunoby and Josh Hart also had big games for the Knicks. Anunoby contributed 18 points on 6 of 9 shooting from the field and 2 of 3 from the 3-point line, along with eight rebounds, while Hart produced a double-double. Meanwhile, CJ McColum led four Hawks players with 26 points, and Jalen Johnson added 23.

“We know that they’re going to be ready for Game 2,” Brunson said after the game. “So quick turnaround and extreme focus.”

Despite New York’s big lead in the fourth, Hawks coach Quinn Snyder was happy with how his team finished the game. The Hawks ran off 11 straight points late in the period, before Towns ended the run with 48 seconds to go.

“I like the way we came back at the end of the game,”  Snyder said. “They were resilient in that situation; it was just too little, too late.”

Game Odds/ Injury Report

Spread: Knicks -5.5

Over/Under: 216.5

Money Line: Knicks -240, Hawks +190

Where: Madison Square Garden (NY)

Hawks Injuries

Onyeka Okungwu: Questionable with right knee inflammation.

Jock Landale: Remains out due to a high ankle sprain. He will be sidelined until at least May 1.

Okungwu, who finished with 19 points and seven rebounds in Game 1, apparently picked up the injury in Game 1. If Okungwu can’t play, Tony Bradley, Jonathan Kuminga, and Mohammad Guye will likely see increased minutes.

Knicks Injuries

OG Anunoby: Probable with a left ankle sprain.

Anunoby didn’t pick up a new injury during Game 1, per ESPN, and is expected to be good to go tonight.

Fantasy Plays
Jalen Brunson

Brunson is an elite offensive player who has been great against the Hawks this year and in the playoffs recently. In his 43 playoff games as a Knickerbocker, Brunson has produced 29.9 points and 2.4 threes with shooting splits of 45.9/34.9/83.7 in 39 minutes. He also has produced 6.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds while committing 2.8 turnovers. In addition, he has seven career playoff double-doubles.

Karl-Anthony Towns

Towns has been dominant against the Hawks recently. Expect him to have another solid performance tonight, particularly if Okgungwu is limited or doesn’t play.

Since joining the Knicks, Towns has scored 20+ points and registered a double-double in six of his eight matchups against the Hawks.  Overall, he averages 21.6 points, 1.5 threes, and 11.4 boards with shooting splits of 48.7/37.2/86.0 in 19 playoff games as a Knick.

OG Anunoby

Anunoby has also performed well against Atlanta as a Knick, scoring 15+ points in six of the eight games and grabbing at least eight rebounds in four. He has produced two double-doubles along with six steals and three blocks versus the Hawks this season.

Anunoby has averaged 16.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 steals in the playoffs with the Knicks. He also has drained 2.1 threes with shooting splits of 45.0/36.2/78.7.

Josh Hart

Hart’s performance on Saturday marked his third game in his last four outings, where he has recorded a double-double. He has been consistent in the playoffs in his four seasons with the Knicks, averaging 12.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. He also has compiled 1.2 3-pointers and 1.0 steals with shooting splits of 46.2/35.6/73.8.

Jalen JohnsonJohnsonn has been fantastic against the Knicks over the last few seasons. In his last nine appearances versus New York, the 6-8 forward has scored at least 18 points in eight of those contests. He has also produced seven double-doubles and one triple-double against the Knicks during this stretch.
CJ McCollum

McCollum is an outstanding shooter and scorer who hasn’t slowed down despite being 34. McCollum could see an uptick in usage if Ogwungwu is not available. He owns 20.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists for his career in the playoffs.

Dyson Daniels

Daniels can contribute in several ways, even in games he doesn’t score. Daniels had four points, nine rebounds, 11 assists, and three steals in Game 1 versus the Knicks. He averaged 11.7 points, 8.7 assists, and 6.7 boards this year against the Knicks.

Jonathan Kuminga

Kuminga has played well since joining the Hawks. A good scorer and rebounder, he could see an uptick in usage if Okungwu is unable to go.

Prediction

New York has won three of the four matchups against Atlanta this year. The Knicks have outscored the Hawks by an average of 112-108 in the four games, with two of the contests decided by three points.

The Knicks have been outstanding at MSG this year, while the Hawks are just an average road team. The Knicks are also a deeper team and much better defensively. While I have the Knicks as a 2- to 3-point favorite tonight, Okungwu’s status is key. If Okungwu doesn’t play, hammer the over and Knicks -5.5 points as the Hawks’ interior will be severely hampered.

I also like the over, though there is a big caveat. Both teams shot the ball well in Game 1, and the average score of the four games between these teams this year is 220. The Hawks have also struggled defensively against strong teams this year.

The caveat is that if the Hawks slow the game down by playing hack-a-Mitch Robinson. In addition, three of the four games this year have seen 215 points or fewer being scored.

 Bets

Moneyline: Knicks

Spread: Hawks +5.5 if Okungwu is not limited. Knicks -5.5 if Okungwu doesn’t play.

Over/ Under: Slight lean over if need to play or Okungwu doesn’t suit up. Otherwise pass.

© Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images