Predictions and Odds for Knicks vs Hawks Game on April 5th

• The New York Knicks are 4-point favorites over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday afternoon
• Jalen Brunson (ankle) has been upgraded to questionable
• See the Knicks vs Hawks odds, and my picks and predictions below

Hoops fans have a nice lead-in to the Final Four on Saturday, as the Knicks (48-28, 22-16 away) face in the Hawks (36-40, 19-18 home) in a matinee affair. To add more intrigue to the matchup, there’s a chance Jalen Brunson returns from a month long absence. Whether he plays or not, online sportsbooks are still bullish on New York in the NBA odds. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:10 pm ET at the State Farm Arena, in Atlanta, GA.

Knicks vs Hawks Odds

The Knicks opened as 4-point favorites and at -175 on the moneyline. The total sits at 235.5, with Atlanta coming back as +145 ‘dogs. Per the NBA public betting trends, New York has covered in five of its last seven outings, beating the spread each time they were favored.

Odds as of April 4 at DraftKings. See the DraftKings promo code details before signing up.

New York vs Atlanta Injury Report

Brunson hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury on March 6th. He was cleared for basketball activities earlier in the week, and is expected return this weekend. He’ll suit up either on Saturday versus the Hawks, or Sunday against the Suns. He’s a candidate for All-NBA honors, and the Knicks are a serious threat in the NBA Championship odds with him in the lineup.

Brunson isn’t the only injury I’m monitoring. Atlanta is already down Jalen Johnson, Clint Capela and Larry Nance, while Trae Young is considered day-to-day. Young is dealing with an Achilles injury, but early reports suggest he should be able to play.

Knicks vs Hawks Predictions

A return against the Hawks would be a soft landing spot for Brunson. Atlanta ranks 22nd in defensive rating since the All-Star Break, and has dropped four of the last five. Despite the Hawks struggles, that didn’t stop NBA steals leader Dyson Daniels from calling out Brunson. Daniels was quoted as saying “Brunson doesn’t want me guarding him, that’s for sure”.

Daniels has turned into a top defender in the league, but Brunson hasn’t been immune to success against him. In the last two meetings versus Atlanta, Brunson has dropped 34 and 36 points in Knicks victories.

While the Hawks have been slumping recently, New York enters in solid form. They’ve won three of their last four, each by 9+ points. They’re 39-22 with Brunson in the lineup, averaging five more points when he plays.

If Brunson was a lock to play, Knicks -4 would be a slam dunk. Even if he sits however, I predict New York wins comfortably. The nucleus of Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges is a superior top-three than anything Atlanta can put out. That fact is amplified if Young sits, although as mentioned he is in line to play.

Anunoby’s been on fire recently, pouring in 23+ points in eight straight games. New York remains one of the top defensive teams in the league, and boasts an elite offensive ceiling as well. Pre All-Star Break, this team ranked second in offensive rating. When Brunson returns, expect the offensive efficiency to improve, making them a tough postseason opponent.

Knicks vs Hawks Picks

• New York Knicks -4 (-110) at DraftKings

Recent form, a better nucleus, and a cleaner injury report has me siding with New York against the spread. If Brunson’s ruled in this line will move further in the Knicks favor, so act quickly. New York is averaging 134 points over its last two meetings with Atlanta, while the Hawks have surrendered at least 121 points in five straight games.

The New York Knicks will face off against the Atlanta Hawks on April 5th in what is expected to be an exciting matchup between two Eastern Conference teams vying for playoff positioning. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, but as the regular season winds down, every game becomes crucial in determining their postseason fate.

The Knicks currently sit in the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 34-41, while the Hawks are just behind them in the 9th seed with a record of 33-41. With only a few games left in the regular season, every win is crucial for both teams as they look to secure a spot in the play-in tournament.

In terms of predictions and odds for this game, the Knicks are currently favored to win by most sportsbooks. They have been playing well as of late, winning 7 of their last 10 games, and have been led by All-Star forward Julius Randle who is averaging 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game this season.

On the other hand, the Hawks have struggled recently, losing 6 of their last 10 games. However, they have a talented roster led by All-Star guard Trae Young who is averaging 25.3 points and 9.4 assists per game this season.

In terms of odds, most sportsbooks have the Knicks listed as -2.5 point favorites for this game. This means that they are expected to win by at least 3 points according to oddsmakers. The over/under for total points scored in the game is set at 218.5, indicating that it could be a relatively low-scoring affair.

Overall, this game between the Knicks and Hawks is shaping up to be a competitive matchup with playoff implications on the line. Both teams will be looking to secure a much-needed win as they jockey for position in the Eastern Conference standings. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out on April 5th.