Madison Square Garden will host a high-stakes NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday night as the Atlanta Hawks face the New York Knicks. This contest promises to be a heated affair, with both teams vying for a spot in the semifinals in Las Vegas. While the Knicks have established themselves as legitimate contenders under Tom Thibodeau, Atlanta’s Trae Young continues to be a thorn in New York’s side, making this game one of the most anticipated clashes of the in-season tournament.
The Knicks are coming off a thrilling comeback win over the Toronto Raptors, a game that highlighted their resilience and depth. Meanwhile, the Hawks have had a few days to regroup after a blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets. With everything on the line, expect both teams to bring their best effort in a postseason-like atmosphere at The Garden.
Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young remains the engine that powers the Hawks’ offense. The electrifying point guard has been in stellar form, highlighted by his historic performance against the Los Angeles Lakers last week, where he posted 30 points, 20 assists, and five three-pointers, including a game-winning shot. Young has consistently delivered against the Knicks, and his ability to control the game will be crucial if Atlanta hopes to advance.
Despite their offensive firepower, Atlanta’s defense has struggled to contain opposing teams, as evidenced by their lopsided loss to Denver. Clint Capela anchors the Hawks’ interior defense, but he’ll need more support from the likes of De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanović to slow down New York’s balanced attack. Atlanta’s ability to hit shots from beyond the arc will also play a pivotal role, given the Knicks’ strong interior presence.
New York Knicks
Under Thibodeau’s disciplined approach, the Knicks have transformed into a team built on grit and teamwork. Jalen Brunson leads the charge as the on-court general, providing both scoring and playmaking in crucial moments. Brunson’s leadership was on full display in the win over Toronto, where he contributed 20 points and 11 assists to secure the victory.
New York will also lean heavily on Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been a dominant force in the paint. Towns’ ability to rebound and score efficiently will be a major factor against Atlanta’s frontcourt. Complementing him is Mikal Bridges, who has proven to be a reliable two-way player. If the Knicks can control the tempo and limit Trae Young’s impact, they will be in a strong position to move on to the semifinals.
Pick and Prediction
This game is poised to be a tightly contested battle, with both teams bringing unique strengths to the table. The Knicks have the advantage of home court and a more consistent defensive identity, which should help them weather any offensive explosions from Trae Young. Atlanta’s success hinges on their ability to execute offensively and force turnovers to create fast-break opportunities.
Ultimately, New York’s depth and defensive discipline should prove too much for the Hawks. Look for the Knicks to contain Atlanta’s perimeter shooting and dominate the boards en route to a hard-fought win.
- Prediction: New York Knicks 116, Atlanta Hawks 109
