New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks Predictions – NBA Playoff Preview | April 23, 2026

The Atlanta Hawks host the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the NBA First Round on April 23, with the series tied 1-1. This is a coin-flip matchup – the moneyline is ATL 2.02 / NYK 1.98 (via Polymarket/Bet365), and both teams have identical 60% win rates on the season.

Series Context

After splitting the first two games in New York, this series now shifts to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4. The Knicks hold a 3-2 edge in the last 5 head-to-head meetings, but the Hawks are at home and carry the superior offensive rating. Expect a high-tempo game given Atlanta’s pace advantage.

Odds and Lines

Moneyline: ATL 2.02 / NYK 1.98. Spread: ATL +1.5. Total: 216.5. The near-even moneyline reflects how competitive this series has been. Atlanta are slight home underdogs at +1.5, which is unusual but speaks to the Knicks’ postseason pedigree and recent series edge.

Pace and Shooting

Atlanta plays at a pace of 109 – significantly faster than New York’s 103, a 6.0 possession gap. The Hawks will want to push tempo and avoid half-court battles. Atlanta shoots 47.5% from the field to NYK’s 44.8%, and the Knicks hold the three-point edge (36.3% vs 33.2%). Offensive ratings: ATL 117.7, NYK 110.7. Defensively, New York has the clear advantage: 106.2 versus Atlanta’s 111.7. The Hawks score more but also give up more.

Key Players and H2H Scoring

Jalen Brunson has been the most consistent scorer in recent meetings, putting up 29, 28, 30, and 24 across four head-to-head games. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has gone for 36 and 23 for Atlanta, while Onyeka Okongwu erupted for 31 in one meeting. Karl-Anthony Towns went for 36 in a prior matchup. CJ McCollum has scored 32 and 26 for Atlanta in recent games.

Injuries

Jock Landale (ATL) is listed as Out for this game. His absence removes frontcourt depth for the Hawks, which could hurt in physical playoff basketball.

Verdict

Atlanta’s pace advantage and Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s big-game ability at home make the Hawks a legitimate pick in Game 3. But Brunson’s consistency and New York’s defensive rating of 106.2 give the Knicks the edge in a grind-it-out playoff environment. With the total set at 216.5 and Atlanta running at pace 109, the over looks attractive if the Hawks can push tempo early.

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