New York Knicks fans are feeling peachy in more ways than one at the start of this NBA postseason.
The Knicks are blessed with their most momentum-packed championship case in quite some time. A formidable challenge in the realization of that long-sought goal, however, stands in their way: New York will face off against the Atlanta Hawks in the opening round of the playoffs, as a best-of-seven showdown tips off on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
How will part one play out? Here are our official staff predictions…
Geoff Magliocchetti
The (proper) playoffs haven’t technically even begun yet, but they’ve already served as a referendum on how the world covers the Knicks: if they fall to the Hawks, everything that Leon Rose and company have built over the past few years has been for naught, the national outlets will claim.
Beating Atlanta will grant no such brownie points, as anything short of a sweep will attract scrutiny.
As currently constructed, the Knicks should be favored in any playoff series that isn’t against Detroit, or maybe Charlotte (and that issue will work itself out after round one, no matter what). That includes this set against Atlanta, no matter how many times pundits try to invoke the memory of 2021.
New York handled itself well in a visit to the Peach State earlier this month, and Atlanta’s lack of Jock Landale shouldn’t be overlooked, considering he and Onyeka Okongwu could’ve served as a solid antidote to the Knicks’ long-formidable Karl-Anthony Towns/Mitchell Robinson pairing.
Proper respect is due to the Hawks, who have managed to cut off the Trae Young era in sterling fashion. But the Knicks seem well-prepared for a first-round situation like this, even if it wasn’t among the most ideal opening scenarios.
Final prediction: Knicks in 6
Thomas Montana
The Hawks are hot, but it’s not as scary as it looks. They’re 19-6 in their last 25 games, with just eight wins against teams over .500 and an opponent win average of 33.2. They’ve faced teams such as Brooklyn three times, then the Wizards, Mavericks, and Bucks twice, and won all of those games.
The Hawks are a relatively weak team inside, and their only win against the Knicks this season came without Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Towns has been able to expose his matchup, Onyeka Okongwu, all season, and Robinson has averaged 10.5 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks against Atlanta.
Finally, don’t forget about Captain Jalen Brunson, who’s not only one of the biggest playoff risers the game has seen over the last two decades but also has played some of his best ball against the Hawks.
Final prediction: Knicks in 6
Robby Sabo
Although I still don’t trust this team, the Knicks should dispose of the Hawks in five games. Atlanta’s length will give them fits, but they’re not one of the elite athletic-type squads that the Knicks have a tough time handling.
Give me the Knicks in five.
Connor Long
This series is so interesting. If the Knicks get past Atlanta, it will be seen as the expected result, and there will be little praise for New York. However, if they fall to the Hawks, the “fire everyone” chants will be loud from the fanbase.
Atlanta’s surge looks impressive on the surface, but as Thomas pointed out, it came against a flurry of weak opponents.
The Hawks haven’t had to deal with a team like the Knicks. The Knicks can win this game by playing inside and taking advantage of the Hawks’ weakness there.
This is a series that the Knicks should be able to handle.
Final prediction: Knicks in 5
All The Rest
Detroit vs. Orlando
- Magliocchetti: Pistons in 5
- Montana: Pistons in 5
- Sabo: Pistons in 4
- Long: Pistons in 6
Boston vs. Philadelphia
- Magliocchetti: Celtics in 5
- Montana: Celtics in 5
- Sabo: Celtics in 5
- Long: Celtics in 4
Cleveland vs. Toronto
- Magliocchetti: Cavs in 5
- Montana: Cavs in 6
- Sabo: Cavs in 6
- Long: Cavs in 7
Oklahoma City vs. Phoenix
- Magliocchetti: Thunder in 5
- Montana: Thunder in 5
- Sabo: Thunder in 5
- Long: Thunder in 5
San Antonio vs. Portland
- Magliocchetti: Spurs in 5
- Montana: Spurs in 4
- Sabo: Spurs in 4
- Long: Spurs in 4
Denver vs. Minnesota
- Magliocchetti: Nuggets in 7
- Montana: Nuggets in 7
- Sabo: Nuggets in 6
- Long: Timberwolves in 7
LA Lakers vs. Houston
- Magliocchetti: Rockets in 6
- Montana: Lakers in 6
- Sabo: Lakers in 7
- Long: Lakers in 7
