![\"Phil](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776519023_739_91559d23-3670-4701-8507-b3d51b3a15a8.png\")
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\n Updated:
\nApr 18, 2026 , 09:14 AM ET<\/p>\n
\u2022 4 min read<\/p>\n
Our NBA prop model is buzzing ahead of Saturday’s Hawks vs. Knicks first-round NBA playoff series. Phil Naessens has found the best edges to take advantage of for tonight’s Game 1 clash at MSG. <\/p>\n
Photo By – Reuters Connect. OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks in NBA action.<\/p>\n
Our NBA player prop projections are locked in for Saturday’s highly anticipated first-round playoff opener between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks, with the model flagging some good opportunities to exploit.<\/p>\n
These Hawks vs. Knicks NBA player prop projections<\/a> aren’t based on anything other than the numbers, and we’ve found the strongest edges and value.<\/p>\n Here are the model’s top NBA picks<\/a> for Saturday, April 18.<\/p>\n Hawks vs Knicks computer picks for Game 1<\/p>\n Alexander-Walker u20.5 points\u00a0 McCollum o3.5 assists Kuminga o9.5 points Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365’s early win payout!<\/p>\n Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets\u00a0paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!<\/p>\n Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365’s offerings, with our comprehensive\u00a0bet365 review<\/a>!<\/p>\n 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER<\/p>\n Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account Projection: 18.63 points<\/p>\n Atlanta Hawks<\/a> guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker<\/a> is a volume-dependent scorer stepping into a brutal playoff environment at Madison Square Garden.\u00a0<\/p>\n The New York Knicks’<\/a> defense ranks among the league’s best, and while NAW might land a few triples, he hasn’t shown the consistency to regularly crack 20 points.\u00a0<\/p>\n At 18.63 projected, the cushion here is real, and it’s a good idea to play the Under.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd25 Bet Alexander-Walker Now at bet365! <\/a><\/p>\n CJ McCollum Over 3.5 assists (-105)<\/p>\n Projection: 4.25 assists<\/p>\n CJ McCollum<\/a> is a natural playmaker who thrives in pick-and-roll situations, consistently making plays to cutters and kick-outs to three-point snipers.<\/p>\n At 3.5 assists, this line underestimates his playmaking ceiling, which is projected at 4.25 with an 80% hit rate.<\/p>\n The value is clear for something McCollum has done in six of his previous seven games.\u00a0<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd25 Bet McCollum Now at bet365! <\/a><\/p>\n Jonathan Kuminga Over 9.5 points (-120)<\/p>\n Projection: 10.69 points<\/p>\n Jonathan Kuminga<\/a> brings explosive athleticism and finishing ability that make scoring at least 10 points a modest ask.<\/p>\n Projected at 10.69 points, he’s shown throughout his career a capability to attack the paint and generate easy buckets in transition.<\/p>\n With an 80% hit rate and -120 juice, this is one of the sharpest Overs on the board tonight for a player who’s scored at least 10 points in five of his previous six games.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd25 Bet Kuminga Now at bet365! <\/a><\/p>\n Knicks Game 1 computer picks Projection: 16.86 points<\/p>\n OG Anunoby<\/a> is built for playoff basketball with his relentless off-ball movement, elite finishing at the rim, and a mid-range game that’s quietly become reliable.<\/p>\n The Knicks need him to produce, and 15.5 points is a number he’s more than capable of eclipsing.<\/p>\n He’s cleared his prop number in three of his past five games, averaged 16.7 ppg during the regular season, and we’re getting a good price for Anunoby’s NBA player prop.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd25 Bet Anunoby Now at bet365! <\/a><\/p>\n Karl Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds (-105)<\/p>\n Projection: 12.75 rebounds<\/p>\n Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a> is one of the most gifted rebounding big men in the league, and the Knicks will need him crashing the glass hard in today’s playoff opener.<\/p>\n At nearly plus-money, and projected at 12.75 rebounds, Towns’ line of 11.5 is reachable.<\/p>\n With a ceiling of 22 rebounds and an 11.9-rebound floor, I’ll back the Knicks center to snag at least a dozen boards tonight.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Hawks\"](\"https:\/\/img.covers.com\/covers\/data\/svg_logos\/nba\/atl.svg?width=25&height=25\")
Hawks
\n![\"Knicks\"](\"https:\/\/img.covers.com\/covers\/data\/svg_logos\/nba\/ny.svg?width=25&height=25\")
Knicks<\/p>\n
-105<\/a>
\nAnunoby o15.5 points
-112<\/a><\/p>\n
-105<\/a>
\nTowns o11.5 rebounds
-105<\/a><\/p>\n
-120<\/a>
\nAnunoby o4.5 rebounds
-150<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776519024_732_google-preferred-source-badge.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a>Hawks Game 1 computer picks
\nNickeil Alexander-Walker Under 20.5 points (-105)<\/p>\n
\nOG Anunoby Over 15.5 points (-112)<\/p>\n