The New York Knicks (3-2) and Atlanta Hawks (2-3) will square off in Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Knicks are 2.5-point favorites over the Hawks on the spread (Knicks -2.5), with the over/under set at 213.5 total points. New York is a -142 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Atlanta is +120 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Knicks vs. Hawks predictions and NBA picks for Game 6 on Thursday, April 30.
Knicks vs Hawks Prediction
- Knicks vs Hawks pick: Hawks Team Total Under 106.5 (-112, FanDuel)
My Knicks vs. Hawks Game 6 best bet is on Atlanta to stay under its team total of 106.5 points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Knicks vs Hawks Odds for Game 6
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 213.5 -114o / -106u | -142 |
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 213.5 -114o / -106u | +120 |
Knicks vs Hawks NBA Playoffs Game 6 Preview
New York Knicks Betting Preview, Analysis
My first bet for tonight is on the Hawks to stay under 106.5 points. This is effectively my way of betting on the Knicks' defense without worrying about their offense.
Even if the Knicks’ shots don't fall and they have a cold night, I still don't think Atlanta has enough firepower left to clear this number.
The Knicks' starters have won their minutes in all five games. The only reason this series isn't a sweep is because Jonathan Kuminga had two good games and CJ McCollum hit a big time clutch shot. That’s it. That’s the whole series.
Since then, McCollum has been erased, and there is nothing left in the cupboard for Atlanta.
I like playing the team total because it gives you an out—the Hawks could theoretically win an ugly, low-scoring game, and we still cash this under.
Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview, Analysis
Throughout this series, there’s been this narrative that McCollum is the new New York villain.
But after watching the last few games, let’s be real: CJ is not the Joker. He’s not even Bane. He’s more like Catwoman or the Mad Hatter—actually, let’s go with the Penguin. He’s a short dude with a long nose who’s just kind of there—and the Penguin is currently trapped in a mineshaft territory.
The Hawks' offense has gone completely MIA, scoring just 98 and 97 points in the last two games, and CJ hasn't done much to help.
If you zoom in on the tape, everything changed at halftime of Game 3. At that point, CJ had 16 points in the first half and was crushing Jalen Brunson.
However, the Knicks made a simple but devastating tactical adjustment: they stopped letting Brunson guard him.
Knicks vs Hawks Pick, Betting Analysis
CJ McCollum Mineshaft Unders
You are in for a treat today. I’m giving out my first "under" of the entire playoffs. I'm turning my back on McCollum.
The results speak for themselves. In the two and a half games since the Game 3 halftime switch, CJ has scored a grand total of 25 points. That’s 10 points per game. He is shooting a miserable 38% (13-of-34) in that stretch.
Last game was the rock bottom: six points on 3-of-10 shooting with four turnovers. He has been totally erased from the series.
I can’t believe we are still getting a line of 19.5 after he put up 6 and 17 in back-to-back games.
Before the series, we bet CJ to average 20 PPG at +275. He’s currently at 20.8, but if the series ends tonight, a 15-point performance or lower busts that series bet.
So, I’m hedging and doubling down on the fade.
- CJ McCollum Under 15.5 Points (+262)
- CJ McCollum Under 12.5 Points (+580)
We’re taking the mineshaft all the way down.
Hawks Team Total Under 106.5
The Hawks' scoring totals this series tell a very clear story: 102, 106, 108, 98, and 97.
They are 5-for-5 on this "under" if you account for the fact that the only time they cleared 106 was the McCollum game-winner in Game 3, averaging just 102.2 points per game.
If you think the Hawks' collapse continues, I’m looking at the first-half market.
I’m taking Atlanta 1H Team Total Under 50 (+255). They’ve put up 48 and 44 in the first half of the last two games.
By taking the first half, I avoid a potential fourth-quarter "garbage time" surge that could push a full-game total over.
And if you think the Knicks just roll? Give me Knicks -14.5 (+450) as well. They’ve won the last two games by 16 and 29 points. They’ve already covered this massive number twice in a row. Atlanta is ready for the off-season.
Brandon Anderson's Knicks vs Hawks Best Bets
- Hawks Team Total Under 106.5 (-112)
- CJ McCollum Under 19.5 Points (-120)
- CJ McCollum Under 15.5 Points (+262)
- CJ McCollum Under 12.5 Points (+580)
- Knicks -14.5 (+450)
