Hawks vs. Knicks NBA Playoffs Odds and Game 2 Preview – May 26, 2021

By Carlos Chacon • May 26, 2021

The New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks at the Madison Square Garden for the second time in their 2021 NBA Playoffs series. It was the Hawks who claimed Game 1 after a 107-105 thriller of a win.

Trae Young called the game with a floater with less than a second left to spare. The Knicks will try to avenge the narrow defeat and even the series up before heading to Atlanta.

As the series starts to build some heat, the NitroBetting news team provides you with a comprehensive Hawks vs. Knicks preview. Find the latest NBA odds and crucial team and player information. Furthermore, we share with you the latest betting trends and expert betting predictions that help you lock in on winning picks. Don’t forget to check out for more Basketball betting odds ands lines at our online BTC sportsbook.

Hawks vs. Knicks Game 2 Information

When: Wednesday, May 26, 2021, 7:30 PM ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York City , New York
TV: NBA TV / ESPN
Radio: 92.9 THE GAME (Hawks) / 98.7 FM ESPN (Knicks)
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
NBA Betting Odds: New York Knicks -132 / OU: 212.5

Why Bet on the Atlanta Hawks?

The Wizards had a slow start into the first half of the regular season but gradually made their way to qualifying for the Play-In tournament. After a hard-fought Play-In campaign, they secured a spot in the playoffs to face the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed, the Philadelphia Sixers.

The Hawks were all out as soon as Game 1 started. Trae Young showed up and recorded 32 points with 10 assists that night. On top of that, the game-winning shot made it even more memorable for the guard.

After a strong opening, the Hawks found their groove right away. They were able to keep the score close despite below satisfactory shooting in the third quarter. They improved in the fourth quarter by limiting turnovers and hitting open shots.

It was a tightly-contested game against the Knicks and the Hawks dealt with the pressure well as the road team. If they can improve on their rebounding and shooting beyond the arc, the Knicks are going to face a tougher challenge in Game 2. Thanks to Clint Capela’s efforts, the Hawks remained competitive. With 9 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks, he played a pivotal role in the game.

There’s still room for improvement in the shooting department, but if he can contain Julius Randle and limit his points, the Hawks will be tough to deal with in the following games.

Why Bet on the New York Knicks?

On the other hand, the Knicks have to set the tempo early on and avoid letting the Hawks grab an early lead. This is what happened in Game 1, where the Hawks created an 8-point lead in the first quarter. Hence, the Knicks should be looking at less sloppy defensive measures early on.

Furthermore, what pulled the team back during the game was poor shooting. The team only managed to hit 10 3-pointers and 11 of their 15 free throw attempts. It was Alec Burks who led the scoring for the Knicks with 27 points to his name, while Julius Randle and RJ Barrett listed down 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Once again, we look forward to Julius Randle making significant contributions to his team this Wednesday. He can look back at his performance in Game 1 and apply the necessary adjustments.

The big man was recently awarded the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year title after an astonishing regular-season showing, and we look forward to more of that in the playoffs.

Hawks vs. Knicks Betting Trends

The Hawks are 5-5 in their last 10 away games.
The Hawks are 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 away games.
The totals have gone under in 5 of the Hawks’ last 10 games.
The Knicks are 8-2 in their last 10 home games.
The Knicks are 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 home games.
The totals have gone under 6 times in the Knicks’ last 10 games.

Hawks vs. Knicks Expert Betting Prediction

The New York Knicks opened as favorites to win Game 2. But, the Hawks will remain a huge threat. This is an almost 50/50 matchup, which means top-notch action from start to finish. Their winning chances rely on how Randle and Barrett perform.

Meanwhile, the Hawks aren’t far off as they previously matched well with the Knicks. They heavily rely on their role players and can only challenge opponents if they fire on all cylinders. Ultimately, this is going to be a tough one to call.

With the Knicks as the slight favorites, expect the Hawks to cover the spread and try to force another win before heading back to Atlanta.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at NitroBetting news. Stay tuned for more NBA game previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Basketball betting odds on the sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.