Hawks vs Knicks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Saturday’s NBA Playoffs Game 1

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The first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs tips off as one of the hottest teams in the Association takes on a powerhouse looking to take the next step and maximize its title chances.

The Atlanta Hawks have soared since the All-Star break, and my Hawks vs. Knicks predictions expect them to cover the spread against the New York Knicks on the road.

Here are my best free NBA picks for Saturday, April 18.

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Hawks vs Knicks Game 1 prediction

Hawks vs Knicks best bet: Hawks +5.5 (-115)

After another middling start, the Atlanta Hawks have done a complete 180. Moving on from Trae Young and adding veteran leader CJ McCollum were the moves that pulled Atlanta out of the Play-In Tournament and into a favorable playoff position.

Since the All-Star break, only the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder sport better records than the 20-6 Hawks. In that span, the Hawks went a league-best 18-8 ATS, including a 6-4 mark on the road, which ranked fifth.

After the break, the New York Knicks went 13-14 ATS, just 15th in the NBA. The Knicks won the season series with the Hawks two games to one, but Atlanta covered twice in three games.

Atlanta’s ability to knock down three-pointers should give New York fits.

The Knicks have struggled to defend the three-point line this season, allowing the 10th-most three-pointers (13.9) and the 11th-highest three-point percentage (36.2%). Over the last 15 games, New York has given up 14.5 triples at a 38.1% clip.

The Hawks rank in the top-10 in three-point attempts (39.5), three-point makes (14.6), and three-point percentage (37.1%) this season. In three tilts with New York, Atlanta knocked down 37.2% of its 121 triple attempts.

After the break, Atlanta owned the seventh-best offensive rating (119.8), second-best defensive rating (109.5), and third-best net rating (10.3). Given the team’s recent success and advantage from the perimeter, I’ll take the Hawks to cover a modest spread on the road.

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Hawks vs Knicks Game 1 same-game parlay

The Knicks closed out the final 10 games of…

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Publish date : 2026-04-18 02:29:00

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