Hawks vs Knicks: Predictions, Top Picks & Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 2

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 20, 2026 6:48 PM ET

Hawks vs Knicks: Predictions, Top Picks & Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 2

By Zak Hanshew, Betting Analyst, Filmogaz.com. Updated Apr 20, 2026, 4:49 PM ET.

The New York Knicks opened the series with an 11-point victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta trailed by just two at halftime. New York used a dominant third quarter to create separation.

Game context and broadcast

Game 2 comes from Madison Square Garden in New York. Tip-off is Monday, April 20, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC.

Homecourt proved decisive in Game 1. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns led New York’s effort.

Predictions and angle

My read favors the Knicks to win outright. I expect the Hawks to keep the final margin close.

This preview focuses on Hawks vs Knicks predictions and Top Picks & Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 2. Home advantage and recent performance tilt the edge to New York.

Best single bet

Target: Dyson Daniels Over 11.5 rebounds + assists (-120). Daniels finished Game 1 with a 20 combined total. A baseline performance should clear 11.5.

Season context supports the play. Daniels averaged 33.2 minutes, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists across 76 games.

Supporting Daniels data

Season combined rebounds plus assists: 12.7 per game.
Cleared the combo line in 48 of 76 games (63.2%).
Finished the season with 12+ in three straight and four of his last five games.
Against New York (four games, regular and postseason): 20, 15, 14, and 17 combined totals.
Rankings: Atlanta’s third-leading rebounder and second-leading facilitator.

Same-game parlay ideas

Two SGP concepts to consider. Each combines player lines and team outcomes.

SGP A: Dyson Daniels Over 11.5 rebounds + assists, Hawks +5.5, Over 217.
SGP B (“Garden Buckets”): Over 217; Jalen Brunson Over 28.5 points; Karl-Anthony Towns Over 20.5 points; Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 19.5 points; CJ McCollum Over 17.5 points.

Matchup notes and trends

Atlanta shot about 3.5% worse from the field in Game 1 than their season mark. Nickeil Alexander-Walker struggled with 6-for-17 shooting for 17 points.

The Hawks converted just 12 of 19 free throws in Game 1. Their season free-throw rate sat at 77.4%. The Knicks hit 25 of 30 free throws.

Between the All-Star break and season end, Atlanta went 18-8 against the spread. That form suggests they can keep Game 2 competitive.

Head-to-head and scoring context

The teams met four times this season with combined game totals of 215, 213, 210, and 253.
Game 1 finished a single basket shy of the Over. The expectation is for more scoring in Game 2.
Brunson averages 27 points at Madison Square Garden and 25.1 elsewhere. He averaged 29 in four matchups with Atlanta.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 in Game 1 and posted 21 and 36 in other matchups this season.
CJ McCollum led Game 1 scoring for Atlanta with 26 points.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker averaged a career-best 20.8 points this season and hit 20+ in 46 of 78 games.

Odds and betting context

Spread: Hawks +5.5 (-110) | Knicks -5.5 (-110).
Moneyline: Hawks +190 | Knicks -230.
Totals: Over 217 (-110) | Under 217 (-110).
Recent moneyline trend: Hawks have won 31 of their last 50 moneyline decisions. That produced +14.55 units and a 12% ROI.