NBA Prop Bets: New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks (January 2, 2026)
The Atlanta Hawks (16-19) face the New York Knicks (24-10) at Madison Square Garden. Let's take a look at the NBA Prop Bets for Friday's matchup. The Knicks opened as 6.5-point favorites but the spread has since moved to 4.5, leaving the Knicks at -185 and Hawks at +154. The total points line is set at 239.5, with OVER at -115 and UNDER at -105, meaning the implied expected score for the game is 122-118 New York.
- The Hawks (-115) have a 17-18-0 ATS record this season, while the Knicks (-105) hold a record of 19-14-1.
- The Hawks have a 20-15-0 O/U record this season (meaning 20 games have gone over the total points line and 15 have gone under). The Knicks have a 20-14-0 O/U record.
Scoring Insights
- The Hawks are averaging 119.3 points per game this season (9th in the league). Comparatively, the Knicks are averaging 121.2 (3rd).
- Defensively, the Hawks are giving up 120.1 points per game this season (24th in the league), while the Knicks are giving up an average of 114.6 points (12th).
Game Style
What do the stats tell us about the style of basketball these teams are playing this season?
Pace
- The Hawks currently rank 3rd for pace this season, recording 102.3 possessions per game. Alternatively, the Knicks sit 25th on that scale with 98.8 possessions per contest.
Field Goal Split
- Looking at field goal splits, 42.7% of the Hawks' field goal attempts come from three point range (11th in the league), leaving 57.3% from two. Meanwhile, the Knicks' opponents are taking 45.3% of their attempts from three (T25th) and 54.7% from two.
- Comparatively, New York takes 44.0% of shots from three (7th), leaving 56.0% from two, while Atlanta's opponents are attempting 41.3% from three (19th) and 58.7% from two.
Beyond the Arc
- In terms of made three-pointers, the Hawks are shooting 37.3% from deep in 2025/26 (5th in the NBA), compared to the Knicks who are making 38.6% of their attempts (4th).
- On the opposite end, Atlanta is holding opponents to 36.0% of their three-point attempts (15th), while New York's opponents are hitting 36.9% of their shots (22nd).
Ball Protection
- The Hawks are committing 15.2 turnovers per game this season, ranking 17th in the league, while the Knicks are forcing 14.1 turnovers (21st).
- Flipping that script, Atlanta is forcing 16.0 turnovers (6th), while New York is committing 13.4 (4th).
Crashing the Boards
- Atlanta is pulling down just 41.6 rebounds per game this season (25th in the league), including 10.0 offensive boards (T26th). Conversely, New York's opponents are averaging a paltry 41.7 rebounds (6th), 10.4 of which have come on the offensive end (2nd).
- Meanwhile, the Knicks are averaging an impressive 46.1 rebounds (5th) and 13.5 offensive rebounds (4th), while the Hawks are allowing 46.0 and 12.1, ranking 25th and 26th.
First Quarter Winner
Atlanta is +114 to win the first quarter, while New York is -135. Here are their first quarter records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 19-13-3 | 8-6-3 | 11-7-0 | 9-5-3 | 10-8-0 | 4-4-2 |
| New York | 14-19-1 | 9-8-1 | 5-11-0 | 12-16-1 | 2-3-0 | 2-7-1 |
First Half Winner
Atlanta is +140 to win the first half and New York is -166. Here are their first half records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 16-18-1 | 7-10-0 | 9-8-1 | 10-7-0 | 6-11-1 | 4-6-0 |
| New York | 22-12-0 | 13-5-0 | 9-7-0 | 19-10-0 | 3-2-0 | 6-4-0 |
HT/FT
Atlanta is +205 to complete the HT/FT double. Conversely, New York is -120.
- The Hawks have completed the HT/FT double in 28.6% of games this season, while the Knicks have completed the HT/FT double in 52.9% of games.
To Go To Overtime
Friday's matchup is +1200 to go to overtime.
- The Knicks have not played in a game that went to overtime this season. Comparatively, the Hawks have appeared in one such contest.
Both Teams 110+
- Both teams have scored 110+ points in 22 of Atlanta's 35 games this season. Meanwhile, 19 of New York's 33 games have seen both squads reach that number.
Last Time They Met
New York recorded a 128-125 victory over Atlanta at State Farm Arena when these teams last met on December 27. The Knicks have now won four straight against the Hawks. Karl-Anthony Towns came up big on that day, scoring 36 points and adding 15 rebounds.
