The Atlanta Hawks, armed with a respectable 46-36 record and a 22-19 mark on the road, find themselves in a tough spot as they head into the den of the 53-29 New York Knicks, who've been nearly unbeatable at home, going 30-10 at Madison Square Garden. The Hawks' high-powered offense, which churns out 118.5 points per game, will have its work cut out against the Knicks' stingy defense, which concedes a stingy 102.0 points per game. Specifically, the Hawks will need their scoring depth to step up, as their leading scorer, J. Johnson, with 22.5 points per game, faces a stiff test against the Knicks' top dog, J. Brunson, who averages 26.0 points per game.
The Hawks are also dealing with some adversity, as center J. Landale is out with an ankle injury, which could further complicate their matchup against a Knicks team that's been dominant at home. New York's strong defensive numbers at home make the Hawks' task even more daunting. Given these factors, it's clear that the Hawks will need to bring their A-game to come out on top. Will their offense be able to overcome the Knicks' defensive might? Make your pick or join the discussion on StreakChat.