Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks Game 2 Preview, Picks & Odds for Monday, April 20, 2026

By Braxton Reynolds | Apr 19, 2026, 7:47pm

Game 2 between the Atlanta Hawks (0-1) and New York Knicks (1-0) is set for 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC. OG Anunoby rolled his ankle in the third quarter of Game 1, so his status is worth monitoring.

Hawks vs. Knicks Betting Analysis

Although the Hawks lost by 11 points, there were positive takeaways. CJ McCollum got to his spots at will and showed why he has averaged 20.1 points per game across 67 career playoff games. He’s a proven scorer who Atlanta can count on throughout the contest. Onyeka Okongwu also impressed as a shooter and defended Karl-Anthony Towns well, while Jalen Johnson had stretches of brilliance.

However, the Hawks must get a better performance from Nickeil Alexander-Walker in Game 2, and someone has to step up and score off the bench. Perhaps Corey Kispert sees a small amount of playing time.

Although Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns missed a few more shots than usual, New York’s stars were excellent in Game 1. They set the tone and got Atlanta into foul trouble. Josh Hart was also everywhere on the court and especially made his presence felt on the defensive glass.

As for best bets, let’s run it back with Onyeka Okongwu but pivot from made threes to 14+ points. New York’s defense allowed the third-highest three-point attempt rate after the All-Star break and also gave up the 10th-most made threes per game to opposing centers this season. Okongwu shot 37.6% from deep on 5.2 attempts per game this season, which are both career-highs. The stretch-five also has scoring potential on rolls and cuts. Overall, Okongwu scored 12, 23, and 31 points against New York during the regular season, and he recorded 19 points in Game 1.

Atlanta’s moneyline is also worth a look. Anunoby’s mobility may be limited, and New York shooting 48% from deep and being +11 in free throw attempts again is doubtful. The Hawks are athletic enough to give the Knicks fits, and they should be more cohesive with a playoff game under their belts.

Hawks vs. Knicks Best Bet, Pick & Prediction

Best Bet: Onyeka Okongwu O13.5 Points (+101)
Best Bet: Hawks ML (+185)
Score: Hawks 111, Knicks 110

Hawks vs. Knicks Game Odds

Hawks vs. Knicks Game Information

Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
Network: NBC
Location: New York, New York
Venue: Madison Square Garden – 227.7 ppg; 19-21-1 O/U
Series Score: Knicks 1-0

Hawks vs. Knicks Betting Resources

Hawks vs. Knicks Key Players

Hawks

Jalen Johnson – Last Game: 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
Nickeil Alexander-Walker – Last Game: 17 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists
CJ McCollum – Last Game: 26 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist

Knicks

Jalen Brunson – Last Game: 28 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists
Karl-Anthony Towns – Last Game: 25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists
OG Anunoby – Last Game: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 0 assists

Braxton Reynolds

Braxton has been covering the NBA for Lineups since the 2022 season. He's worked with multiple collegiate coaching staffs regarding analytics and scouting, which has allowed him to understand the game on a deeper level. Braxton also currently writes about the Oklahoma City Thunder for Thunder Roundtable.