Knicks vs Hawks

New York rides a three-game winning streak into Atlanta while the Hawks skid through five straight losses and nine defeats in their last 11, now playing the second night of a back-to-back with a short-handed frontcourt missing N’Faly Dante, Eli John Ndiaye and likely Kristaps Porziņģis. With Josh Hart ruled out but the core of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby intact, the Knicks’ top-five offense and solid defense have consistently overpowered an Atlanta group that bleeds points when Trae Young is on the floor, and Brunson has already averaged over 26 points and six assists against the Hawks last season. Laying -225 on the Knicks moneyline is more price than bargain, but the combination of current form, depth, and matchup history makes this an A- confidence play for win probability, even if the raw value is only moderate. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 27/12/2025 09:41am

Trae Young has historically cooked the Knicks for over 25 points per game, but Atlanta’s current five-game losing streak, heavy minutes on Young and Jalen Johnson last night, and a battered front line suggest tired legs against a New York team that plays at a bottom-five pace while ranking top-five in offensive efficiency and top-10 in points allowed. Even with Brunson and Towns fueling recent shootouts, the Knicks’ preference to grind possessions, plus the Hawks’ offensive volatility and thin rotation without Dante, Ndiaye and potentially Porziņģis, all push against a massive 242.5 total that already prices in elite shooting from both sides. I lean to the under 242.5 at -110 with a B+ grade, given the strong situational angle but acknowledging New York’s firepower always leaves some risk of a late scoring avalanche. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 27/12/2025 09:41am

The Knicks’ depth and defense make them attractive at -6 against a Hawks squad that has dropped five in a row, is 2-7 with Young on the floor this season, and is still without key bigs Dante and Ndiaye while Porziņģis remains a major question mark, but Young’s 25.6 career points per game versus New York and Atlanta’s home shooting variance keep the backdoor very live. Brunson’s strong track record against the Hawks and the Knicks’ recent run of double-digit wins suggest they can stretch this out if they control tempo and dominate the glass against Atlanta’s depleted interior, yet laying points on the road on a huge total always carries swingy late-game foul and three-point variance. I’ll lay the -6 with New York at -115 for a B-grade play that leans on matchup edges and current form but respects the risk of a close, whistle-heavy finish. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 27/12/2025 09:41am