The New York Knicks are absolutely atrocious, perhaps the worst team in franchise history. They probably only have a few games left on the 2018-19 schedule they can win. One of those might be Thursday in Atlanta as the teams close out the pre-All-Star break schedule. However, the Atlanta Hawks are NBA lines favorites.
Knicks vs Hawks NBA Lines & Expert Pick
.@ISO_ZO led 6️⃣ guys in double digits tonight. (@MajorEnergy) pic.twitter.com/QvVp7UKBcZ
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) 14 de febrero de 2019
- When: Thursday, 7:30 PM ET
- Where: State Farm Arena
- TV: NBA tv
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- NBA Lines: Atlanta Hawks -7.5 (Total 225.5)
Hornets vs Magic NBA Odds, Preview & Prediction
Season Series
The Knicks lead 2-1 but lost the last meeting 114-107 at home on Dec. 21. Atlanta trailed 39-28 after one quarter but held New York to 38 points in the second half. Kent Bazemore scored 22 points, John Collins had 17 points and 16 rebounds, and rookies Trae Young had 15 points and 10 assists and Kevin Huerter finished with 16 points. Emmanuel Mudiay scored 32 points for the Knicks. Rookie Kevin Knox scored 17 of his 24 points in the first quarter. Mudiay’s layup gave New York a 99-95 lead with 7:23 left, but Atlanta responded with a 9-0 run. Young capped the decisive stretch with a layup with 3:47 left.
The Hawks lead the all-time series with the Knicks 196-177.
Why Bet on NY Knicks?
Second of a back-to-back for New York, which entered Wednesday’s likely loss to Philadelphia on a franchise-record 17-game losing streak. Make no mistake: This team is tanking!
However, DeAndre Jordan will remain in New York for the rest of this season because the Knicks aren’t willing to buy him out. Jordan was acquired from the Mavericks in the Kristaps Porzingis trade and will become a free agent. No reason to keep him, but the Knicks like his relationship with Kevin Durant, who DJ tried to recruit to the Clippers a few years ago. Over the last five games, Jordan is averaging 11.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.00 blocks. Jordan ranks second in FG% (64.9%), second in the NBA in rebounds (13.5) and ninth in double-doubles (34).
New York remains without point guard Emmanuel Mudiay. Mudiay (shoulder) said he’s unsure exactly what his role will be with the Knicks once he’s able to return to the team. “That’s out of my control,’’ Mudiay said regarding his role in New York post-Dennis Smith Jr. “That’s something you have to ask [David Fizdale]. I’m going to support my teammates.”
Smith is clearly the future with the Knicks. Mudiay, on the other hand, will be a free agent at the conclusion of the season. Over the last five games, Smith Jr. is averaging 17.4 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.2 rebounds.
Knicks rookie forward Kevin Knox has been selected to participate on the U.S. Team in this weekend’s Rising Stars game in Charlotte. He replaces Lakers guard Lonzo Ball. Knox (6-9, 215) is averaging 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds over 27.9 minutes this season. Among all NBA rookies, he ranks fifth in minutes (27.9), is tied for fifth in three-pointers (76), seventh in scoring (12.5) and seventh in rebounds (4.2).
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 105.30
- Field Goal Percentage: 42.98
- Three-Point Percentage: 33.55
- Free Throw Percentage: 76.32
- Total Rebounds: 44.28
Defense
- Total Score: 114.40
- Field Goal Percentage: 47.24
- Three-Point Percentage: 36.01
- Free Throw Percentage: 76.30
- Total Rebounds: 48.09
Why Bet on Atlanta?
The Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak with a 117-113 home upset of the Lakers on Tuesday. The Hawks scored just seven points in the final 6:33 but managed to hold on. Taurean Prince delivered a key 3-pointer with 1:48 remaining, and Trae Young darted past James for a lay-in and a foul that thwarted any hope of a Lakers comeback.
Young had 22 points and 14 assists. He matched his season high by playing 38 minutes, taking on a greater burden after the Hawks bought out the contract of his veteran backup, Jeremy Lin. With Jaylen Adams sidelined by a sprained right ankle, Young was the only true point guard on the roster. The effort was Young’s eighth game this season with at least 20 points and 10 assists, the highest single-season total since Stephen Curry had eight such contests in 2009-10.
John Collins, who will compete in this weekend’s Dunk Contest, hit 8-of-15 shots and 4-of-5 free throws for 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two triples in 34 minutes. It was his 21st game of the season with at least 20 points – he missed the first 15 games of the campaign.
Miles Plumlee (left knee) still hasn’t progressed to taking contact. He didn’t practice on Wednesday and will remain on the sidelines for Thursday’s game against the Knicks. Plumlee had a non-surgical procedure on his left knee back in January. The Hawks knocked down 16 three-pointers in Tuesday’s win. Atlanta’s record improved to 9-5 this season when converting at least 15 triples.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 110.96
- Field Goal Percentage: 45.40
- Three-Point Percentage: 34.65
- Free Throw Percentage: 74.76
- Total Rebounds: 45.07
Defense
- Total Score: 118.39
- Field Goal Percentage: 47.61
- Three-Point Percentage: 36.23
- Free Throw Percentage: 75.90
- Total Rebounds: 44.93
Game Trends
- Over is 20-8 in the last 28 meetings in Atlanta
- Underdog is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings
- Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings
- New York is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York’s last 7 games on the road
- Atlanta is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Atlanta is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Atlanta’s last 10 games
Expert Prediction
Hawks shouldn’t be favored this much over anyone…but the Knicks SUCK. Take Atlanta.
