Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Preview (11/2/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

Atlanta and New York will face off in what has become a heated rivalry since their playoff matchup during the 2020-21 postseason. See below my game prediction, the expected starting lineups, updated odds, and the current injury report!

Atlanta Hawks Vs. New York Knicks Betting Odds

The Atlanta Hawks are 2.5-point road dogs against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden. Both teams have avoided significant injury trouble through their first handful of games in the 2022-23 regular season; however, they will each be missing one rotation player. New York will be without guard Quentin Grimes, and Bogdan Bogdanovic will miss another game for the Hawks.

Atlanta Hawks Vs. New York Knicks Prediction

Atlanta has beaten the teams it should beat so far this season, including the Detroit Pistons (twice), Orlando Magic, and Houston Rockets, but when it’s time to face actual competition, it has folded. The Hawks are 0-3 against teams that were at or above .500 when they faced them. Most recently, they got clubbed by the Toronto Raptors by 30 points on the road.

The arrival of Dejounte Murray has drastically helped the Hawks’ defensive efforts, as they rank ninth in opponent 3P% (three-point percentage) and 11th in opponent eFG% (effective field goal percentage). However, Atlanta is a poor rebounding team, and it isn’t playing up to its capabilities on the offensive end. That could change in the long term, but for now, it will continue to struggle against more well-rounded teams.

On the other hand, New York has had a much more difficult schedule, highlighted by road games against the Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, and Cleveland Cavaliers, three of the league’s premier teams this season. Interestingly enough, the Knicks have won all three of their home games, which fares well in this matchup against the Hawks. Atlanta is 2-2 on the road, but both of those wins came against the Detroit Pistons.

New York’s offense has looked much improved this season; it’s averaging 117.8 points per game on 46.8% shooting. There are still some obvious concerns, such as its poor three-point shooting, though. Regardless, the Knicks have a top-five defense and more than makeup for it on that end of the floor. Trae Young should have his way with the New York Knicks; however, I don’t have much faith in the Hawks to win a key road game against a formidable opponent. I’ll stick with the New York Knicks against the spread.

Betting Trends

• Atlanta is 1-3 ATS on the road in 2022-23
• New York is 2-1 ATS at home in 2022-23
• The Knicks are 3-0 at home in 2022-23

Key Matchups

This key matchup holds a lot of hatred. It was only just a few years ago when the Atlanta Hawks knocked the New York Knicks out in the first round of the playoffs, with Trae Young at the helm. Young quickly became a villain in Madison Square Garden, and we get to see him head back there to battle the Knicks once again. Check out my analysis on this matchup below!

Trae Young vs. New York Knicks

How good has Trae Young been versus New York since he garnered villain status amongst the die-hard Knicks fans? The answer to that is impressively good. Young averaged roughly 36 points, seven assists, and three rebounds in three games against New York last season while shooting 49% from the floor and 43% from deep. New York may have added Jalen Brunson in free agency, but Young will still have his way with the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. Advantage: Trae Young

Atlanta Hawks Starting Lineups

PG: Trae Young
SG: Dejounte Murray
SF: De’Andre Hunter
PF: John Collins
C: Clint Capela

New York Knicks Starting Lineup

PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Evan Fournier
SF: R.J. Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson

Key Injuries

Atlanta Hawks Injuries: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Out)

New York Knicks Injuries: Quentin Grimes (Out)