The New York Knicks (12-13) meet the Atlanta Hawks (6-19) at Madison Square Garden. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 10, 2017, and will air on MSG Network.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 205 points with New York set as a 6-point favorite.
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks ATS Prediction
In the Hawks’ last contest, they defeated the Orlando Magic, 117-110. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Atlanta’s biggest strengths. They had 25 free throw attempts, 17 more than Orlando. Atlanta rallied around Kent Bazemore, who recorded 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
The Knicks lost a close one to the Chicago Bulls in their last contest, 104-102. Chicago’s 0.159 free throw rate was their biggest advantage over New York, who had a mark of 0.099. The Bulls’ mark was above their season average of 0.141, while the Knicks’ was below their season average of 0.188. With 10 points and 11 rebounds, New York’s Enes Kanter had a solid game.
This has potential to be a mistake-prone game for the offense of New York. New York ranks 29th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 16.0 percent), while the disruptive defense of Atlanta forces the third-most turnovers in the league (16.4 percent).
Atlanta comes into the game with records of 6-19 straight up (SU) and 11-12-1 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Hawks have finished over the total 50.0 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, New York is 12-13 SU and 14-10 ATS. Vegas is known to place the total high when the Knicks are involved, as 14 of their 24 games have gone under the projected point total.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Dennis Schroder had 26 points and eight assists and the Hawks defeated the Knicks 116-104, covering as 1-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 220 points, which was 13.5 points above the projected point total of 206.5 points. Atlanta had a much better turnover percentage (7.9 vs. 19.2). New York, meanwhile, did a terrific job of converting from the free throw line (12-14; 85.7 percent).
Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Knicks, ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Atlanta is 6-6-1 ATS on the road with 8 unders and 5 overs.
New York is 12-4 ATS at home with 9 unders and 7 overs.
New York is 6-0 when they allow less than 100 points, while Atlanta is 1-2.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Hawks are 6-11 and the Knicks are 11-6.
New York ranks second in second chance points per game (14.8) while Atlanta ranks last in second chance points allowed per game (14.2).
The Knicks average 23.3 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Hawks rank last in assists allowed per game (26.5).
Atlanta ranks fifth in points off turnovers per game (19.0) while New York ranks 28th in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.9).
The Hawks rank fourth in steals per game (8.9) while the Knicks rank 26th (6.7).
New York ranks first in rebounds allowed per game (39.6) while Atlanta ranks 23rd (45.0).
The Knicks rank second in points allowed in the paint per game (39.3) while the Hawks rank 19th (45.0).
Atlanta ranks 18th in three pointers attempted per game (28.1) while New York ranks 28th (22.8).
The Hawks rank 19th in fast break points per game (9.4) while the Knicks rank 29th (6.1).
New York ranks 16th in blocks per game (4.6) while Atlanta ranks 25th (3.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Atlanta is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
New York is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 push over their last five games.
The Hawks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.4, down from 5.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 102.6 points per game (1.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 99.6 points per game (4.0 below their season average).
