Who will take the lead at MSG?
Previous matchups have ended with a maximum of 217 points, and the average total has not exceeded 214.3 points. Against this backdrop, the prediction for Game 5 between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks—that the total will once again not exceed 216.5 points—appears to be a profitable bet.
Nevertheless, we still expect CJ McCollum to score at least 20 points again. The guard has been very accurate against the Knicks. In the series, the 34-year-old is averaging 24.5 points, a figure that significantly tops his 18.7-point average from the previous regular season.
Given how evenly matched this series has been, we also expect another close game. For this reason, we believe the odds for Game 5 between the Knicks and Hawks—specifically, that Coach Quin Snyder’s visiting team will not lose by more than eight points—are also worth considering.
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks Head-to-Head Record
Atlanta lost the last matchup against the Knicks 98-114 on their home court. However, the away record in this matchup is impressive: The team from Georgia has won the majority (five) of their last nine road games in the “Big Apple.”
For the upcoming New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks game, the betting odds nevertheless point toward a home win for Coach Mike Brown’s squad.
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks Tip
As described, the series is primarily characterized by strong defenses on both sides. This is nothing new for this matchup. The two previous regular-season meetings in January and April of this year were also low-scoring affairs.
For this reason, five of the past six matchups ended with a maximum of 216 points! Just how strong the defensive effort is on both sides can also be seen in the fact that the home team has conceded an average of no more than 104 points in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and the visitors are only slightly behind this strong record with 110.3 points. Given this, we see sufficient value in betting on no more than 216 points again in Game 5 between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks.
