The Atlanta Hawks for the first time since 2017 made the playoffs. Not since the last era of Hawks basketball where they had a complete starting lineup of players averaging 15 points all around. Led by Trae Young, this team fought for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta in the offseason spent a lot of their cap salary to bolster the rotation adding two large pieces to their lineup. These additions with the growth of their young core proved to be successful as the team finally reached the playoffs once again.
The New York Knicks broke the third-longest active streak of years that a franchise had missed the playoffs. Not since 2013, when Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks to the second round of the playoffs. The Knicks this season is the be-all story of the NBA. A team that was projected to be in the lottery once again, surged all season long. Through the coaching of Tom Thibodeau, the team saw Julius Randle rise into an All-NBA team caliber player. The team would also see the future in RJ Barrett as the youngster flourished in this shortened season.
Both teams overperformed their expectations and will now have to face one another in a seven-game series. Both teams have young cores, both teams have newer coaches, and both teams are trying to prove themselves showing that they are not a fluke.
Series Odds
Series – Atlanta Hawks: -125
Series – New York Knicks: -105
The spread has this matchup as a toss-up. Both teams are young and still developing, and neither has a clear shot to win this series over one another. Both teams have close to equal value in this series.
This series is tough to bet on, as the odds explain it enough. Either team could come out of the series. But when the odds are favorable to place a bet on a toss-up the outcome could be rewarding. A basketball head would make the bet on Atlanta, as the better team from best player to worse player would result in them winning. An analytical and game-by-game person would bet on the Knicks as they swept the season series against Atlanta. Although neither could say who would win, it would be for the best to not risk betting on this series as a whole.
Key Matchups
Derrick Rose vs Trae Young
This key matchup is based on both guards trying to prove their worth on their team. Everyone knows that Young can put on a show during the regular season. This series will give Young an opportunity to show that he can translate his play into bigger games. Although the former MVP will be the one to try to stop him.
Rose has proven that he is a big-time player in the playoffs. Rose can put on a show at any given time. It will be fun to watch both players attack one another as the generation of point guards go head to head in the first round.
Julius Randle vs Clint Capela
Randle is playing the best basketball of his career. He should be selected for an All-NBA team once the season is over. Randle loves to attack the rim with power and can be agile enough to move around bigger defenders. Capela loves to block shots and protect the paint. These two players will meet at the rim very often, and the winner of this key matchup will be a great factor to the team that wins the series.
If Capela can hold Randle from attacking the rim, and force him to shoot more from the outside. The Hawks will find themselves in a favorable position the whole game on defense. If Capela is unable to control the paint, and Randle is able to score with ease. The Hawks will find themselves stumped on defense. Capela controls the Hawks defensive side of the ball, and a lot of pressure is on his shoulders during this series.
Julius Randle vs John Collins
Randle versus Collins is a key matchup as both players are explosive offensively. Both players love to have the ball in their hands and can score at any place on the court. It will be an offensive matchup between the two. One bad game from either player will result in a loss for their team.
Collins has a lot to prove in this series. He has been on the trading block all season long and during a contract season no less. The power forward has been playing well on the court. If he can translate his offensive output into the playoffs, the Hawks would be more willing to give him the luxurious contract extension that he has been asking for.
Atlanta Hawks X-Factor: Restricting Julius Randle
Atlanta will need to find a way to extinguish the explosive Randle. Randle is a capable scorer from beyond the arc and in the paint. Capela has a lot of pressure on him to try to contest the powerful Randle as he attacks the rim. Doing so will take a lot out of Capela, and could leave him tired on the other side of the ball.
Capela will have to focus his energy on stopping Randle at the rim. Forcing him to shoot more often than getting to the rim. Although Randle is having a great season shooting the ball from deep. The Hawks have capable defenders that can contest those shots. It is better for a team to stop the scoring from within the paint, as those points are easier to get.
New York Knicks X-Factor: RJ Barrett
The New York Knicks will need Barrett to take another step during this playoffs. Barrett had a fantastic sophomore season, averaging 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and three assists. A career year for the young forward, Barett is still needed for more. The Knicks bench is mediocre at best, and with an explosive offense in Atlanta, the youngster will need to up his scoring output.
If Barrett can match Randles scoring game in and game out, this Knicks offense would be unstoppable. Barrett already shoots with great efficiency and should be able to keep that efficiency if given more shots. During the season he attempted roughly 14 shots a contest. In this playoff series, Thibodeau should give the forward a minimum of 18 shot attempts. This would benefit Barrett and the team as his excellent shooting could increase the team’s offensive potential.
Atlanta Hawks 4, New York Knicks 3
The Hawks have a better offense than the Knicks. Having both Young and Collins is a defensive nightmare for teams. Even if a team can control one of them, the other player in return will have a big game. And it is very unlikely that the Knicks will be able to stop Young from dropping huge numbers.
This series will not have a lot of defense involved. With that, the better offense will prevail. Even the Hawks bench is better offensively than the Knicks. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari are snipers on the court. Even Lou Williams is starting to return to his former sixth man of the year days. The Hawks are better built to win this series, but at least the Knicks broke that playoff drought.
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