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We have three close games tonight in the NBA, which is about as exciting as it gets in the playoffs. So far, there have been some great games in the NBA, and none of the streaks are complete in the Eastern Conference. The first of those matchups tonight is between the Knicks and Hawks.
This has been an interesting series for the Knicks. I mentioned this in previous articles about this series, but New York has definitely been the better team in the series. The Knicks have won three games by double digits, and the two losses were by one point each. They’ve looked like the better team in probably all five games so far, and now they just need to be the better team one more time. Aside from a few bad quarters, the Knicks have been able to effectively manage the Hawks’ defense. They have also been able to score at will in the last two games.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns reacts during the first half of an NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta on April 6, 2026. (Colin Hubbard/AP)
On Tuesday, we were able to get a shutout win before halftime as Karl-Anthony Towns had four assists before the second quarter ended. It cashed our ticket and gave us a peaceful night. Game 5 was really about Jalen Brunson’s success. Towns was terrific — he had 16 points, 14 rebounds and six assists — but Brunson was efficient, scoring 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting for the night.
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The Hawks finally got back to what had worked for them during the season, with Jalen Johnson orchestrating the team. However, his offensive output totaled just 18 points. That was still nearly 20% of their total points, and if you add in his six assists, that puts him at over 25% of the team’s total offense. It was the first time he led the team in all three categories, and maybe that’s actually a problem for their offense. Johnson was able to lead the team in all three categories during the regular season, but perhaps they need to be more dynamic in the postseason.
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart gets the ball stolen by Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga in the fourth quarter during Game Three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on April 23, 2026. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
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CJ McCollum had been great for the Hawks in their wins, but in Game 5 he was just 3-for-10 and put up just six points. With four turnovers, he nearly matched his scoring total with the turnovers. As a team, they must also be more active on the glass. They grabbed 27 rebounds, but Towns and OG Anunoby combined for 24 themselves. The Hawks lost the game by 21 rebounds, which is hard to overcome.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns celebrates his three-point shot against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter of Game 6 in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 16, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
I go back to the well with Towns getting 4+ assists at -132. He’s been great at finding open teammates and has at least four assists in four of the series’ five games. I also think this streak is over. I said before the series started that the Hawks weren’t going to win. I will admit they did better than expected, but I think the Knicks close this one out. Give me them -1.5.
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