Knicks Prepare to Face Hawks in Thrilling 2026 NBA Playoff Opener

The Atlanta Hawks are set to clash with the New York Knicks in the first round of the Eastern Conference NBA playoffs on Saturday. The Knicks, who reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the first time since 2000, are looking to build on their recent momentum. Meanwhile, the Hawks, holding the sixth seed with a record of 49-23, have struggled lately, losing three of their last four games. The Knicks, seeded third with a record of 53-29, enter the postseason after a strong finish, winning four of their last five contests. Notably, the Knicks won two of the three regular-season matchups against the Hawks. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Historically, the Hawks lead the all-time series 204-195. Current betting odds show the Knicks as 5.5-point favorites, with an over/under set at 217.5 points. The SportsLine Projection Model, which has proven successful with over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players over the past eight-plus seasons, has simulated this matchup 10,000 times. This season, it boasts a 72% success rate on top-rated NBA spread picks, entering the playoffs on a 23-9 roll. Key player performances to watch include: For the Hawks: Jalen Johnson is expected to score 20.9 points, with six players projected to reach double figures. For the Knicks: Jalen Brunson leads with 27.5 points, with five players also anticipated to score in double digits. The model predicts a combined scoring total of 220 points, hitting the Over 52.3% of the time based on recent trends. Notably, the total has gone Over in six of the Hawks' last nine road games and in 12 of the Knicks' last 18 Saturday games. For those looking to make informed bets, the model identifies one side of the spread hitting 70% of the time as an A-rated pick. Fans can follow up on the latest predictions and picks at SportsLine.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-18