Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Pick – April 18, 2026

Atlanta opens the Eastern Conference first round on the road against New York on Saturday night. The Knicks earned home-court behind a 53-29 regular-season record, while the Hawks finished 46-36 and will need to win at Madison Square Garden to flip the series early.

New York is favored by 5 points with a modest total for a Hawks game, which lines up with the Knicks’ slower tempo and both teams trending slightly toward the under across the full season.

Injury availability is a major variable for Game 1, especially for New York’s frontcourt and wing rotation and for Atlanta’s backcourt.

Odds & Game Info

Odds as of 9:34 AM ET on April 13, 2026.

One quick look at the market for Hawks vs. Knicks.

• Tip-off: April 18, 2026, 6:00 PM ET
• Arena: Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)
• Rest/travel: Both teams last played April 12 and enter with five full days off; Atlanta travels to New York.

Team Snapshot

Here’s how these teams profile heading into Game 1.

Recent Form

Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta went 6-4 over its last 10, with the results swinging based on opponent quality and game environment. The Hawks scored 141 in a road win at Brooklyn on April 3, but they also allowed 143 in a 143-117 road loss at Miami on April 12, a reminder of how quickly their games can speed up when transition defense slips.

This matchup is also fresh: New York won in Atlanta 108-105 on April 6 (213 total points). Atlanta’s offense did enough to hang around, but it was a thin margin game where each empty trip mattered late.

New York Knicks

New York also finished its final 10 at 6-4, and the home form stands out: the Knicks beat Boston 112-106 on April 9 and Toronto 112-95 on April 10 before a 110-96 loss to Charlotte on April 12.

The Knicks’ baseline is a slower game script, and with multiple rotation pieces currently listed out (including key frontcourt players), New York’s shot profile and half-court execution become even more central than usual.

Matchup Keys

• Tempo control: New York plays slower (97.2 pace) while Atlanta plays faster (101.7). If the Knicks keep this in the half court, the total and Atlanta’s upset path both get tighter.
• Extra possessions: New York’s season offensive rebound rate (29.4 ORB%) is well ahead of Atlanta’s (24.1). If the Knicks can still generate second chances despite injuries, it’s a major edge in a lower-possession game.
• Ball security is likely stable: Both teams are low-turnover by rate (Knicks 12.2 TOV%, Hawks 12.3 TOV%). That puts more weight on shot-making rather than live-ball turnovers creating easy points.
• Efficiency is close on paper: Team shooting efficiency is similar (Knicks .556 eFG%, Hawks .554 eFG%), so lineup availability and late-clock execution can decide who separates.

Betting Trends

• Knicks were 30-10 straight up at home in the regular season.
• Hawks were 22-19 straight up on the road in the regular season.
• Knicks were 28-13 ATS at home.
• Hawks were 23-18 ATS on the road.
• Knicks finished 44-39 ATS overall.
• Hawks finished 44-38 ATS overall.
• Knicks finished 39-44 to the over (44 unders, 39 overs).
• Hawks finished 40-42 to the over (42 unders, 40 overs).
• Both teams enter off a 6-4 stretch over their last 10 games.
• The most recent meeting (April 6) ended 108-105 (213 total points).

Best Bet

Under 215.5 (-110).

New York’s pace profile (97.2) is built for lower-possession games, and its full-season results lean under (44 unders). Atlanta also finished slightly under-heavy (42 unders), and the last head-to-head landed at 213 points. With both teams coming in on extended rest, the defensive game plan and half-court focus typically sharpen, and current injury statuses also point toward fewer clean scoring sequences if key creators and finishers are limited or out.

Predicted Score

Knicks 109, Hawks 104

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