The oddsmaker hasn't respected the Knicks all season and he's certainly not respecting them here with such a short line. 

All the Knicks have done is lead the NBA in defense, win 16 of their last 20 games and cover 18 of their past 23 games (78 percent). 

New York swept the Hawks in three meetings this season. The Hawks couldn't stop Julius Randle. Atlanta is 0-6-1 ATS in its past seven games against the Knicks. The Hawks also have failed to cover in their last five overall away games. 

The Knicks went 25-11 at home this season. Some 15,000 fans are expected to jam Madison Square Garden to see the Knicks' first playoff game in eight years. That will be the biggest Knicks home crowd in 14 months. 

It's not like the Hawks have much recent playoff experience either. They last reached the postseason in 2017.
 
Randle is the best all-around player on the court. The Knicks have held their last five opponents to 97 points a game. 

The Hawks haven't been able to beat the Knicks all season. I don't see that changing in this Game 1 matchup. 

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