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If the New York Jets are still searching for a solution at quarterback, they can just look across the Big Apple hardwood.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns put his playmaking on display in a crucial win over the Atlanta Hawks this weekend, knotting New York’s first-round series at 2-2 heading home for Game 5.
Towns dished out 10 assists — his second-best passing performance of the season — and our Hawks vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks see New York’s big man setting up his teammates.
The New York Knicks need to get guys like Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges going. The Atlanta Hawks have done a great job of pressuring the Knicks' backcourt early in possessions, which has disrupted how New York normally operates.
However, head coach Mike Brown made an excellent adjustment in Game 4. He utilized center Karl-Anthony Towns as an offensive conduit, feeding him at the high post and allowing Brunson & Co. to work off the ball, with KAT as the primary playmaker.
That resulted in the Knicks’ best offensive showing of the series (114 points on 49% shooting), fueled by 10 assists on 12.0 potential dimes from Towns. He found cutters inside, connected on pocket passes, and skipped to shooters off screens, producing the second-most assists of his entire season.
KAT averaged 3.3 assists on 3.7 potential assists through the first three games of the series, and while the Hawks will try to adjust to him as a playmaker, his passing prowess will continue to be a problem.
Towns as the ball handler above the foul line not only draws Atlanta’s size away from the rim, opening up a ton of room in the key, but gives him a strategic advantage as a playmaker. The 7-footer is able to see over the Hawks’ diminutive frontcourt, easily accessing open teammates.
Towns’ assist props have bounced between 2.5 and 3.5 for this series (he’s gone 3-1 Over), coming in at 3.5 O/U for Game 5. Going back to the regular season, KAT has dished out 4+ dimes in seven of his last eight games overall.
New York avoided a bad spot with a strong road win in Game 4 and is learning to live without Jalen Brunson making his usual postseason magic. Atlanta, on the other hand, is starting to struggle with adjustments as the series goes on and doesn’t have a reliable support staff to step up, as the Knicks do.
Josh Hart is more focused on defense and rebounding in this series, but he's getting plenty of looks from outside. As the Hawks swarm Brunson, the space is there for Hart.
He was just 1-for-5 from beyond the arc in Game 4, but Atlanta is allowing him wide-open attempts. Hart is a better shooter inside MSG, shooting 44% from distance at home compared to 40% on the road.
Towns keeps coming up big for New York. He’s found his spot as a primary passer from the high post, which also makes him a dangerous offensive rebounder as he crashes from outside.
The Hawks will eventually have to sag off KAT to plug up the paint, and he’s not afraid to let it fly from deep, having made two and three triples in the opening two games of the series.
The Knicks have covered the spread in 29 of their last 45 home games for +12.50 units and a 25% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Knicks.
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