Jalen Brunson poised to take advantage of Atlanta’s defensive struggles as Knicks aim for sixth consecutive Hawks defeat
The New York Knicks are set to face the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena, where they plan to exploit the Hawks’ recent woes. Atlanta finds itself in a precarious situation, having lost five straight games and nine of their last eleven. Their defensive struggles have been glaring, surrendering over 120 points consistently during this stretch. Currently, they rank 18th in defensive rating and have struggled at home, boasting a disappointing 5-10 record. This matchup comes on the heels of a back-to-back for Atlanta, following a 126-111 defeat to Miami.
In contrast, the Knicks are riding a wave of momentum after their thrilling Christmas Day comeback win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where Jalen Brunson led the charge with an impressive 34 points. Despite the setback of losing Josh Hart to an ankle sprain, the injury landscape tilts in New York’s favor. The Hawks are grappling with significant injuries in their frontcourt, including the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, while Miles McBride’s status is improving as he has been upgraded to questionable. In McBride’s absence, Tyler Kolek has stepped up admirably, averaging 18 points over his last two games.
Hawks’ Defensive Breakdown
Atlanta’s struggles are exacerbated by a battered frontcourt. With Kristaps Porzingis sidelined due to illness and two key rotation players lost for the season, the Hawks lack depth and size in the paint. This vulnerability presents an opportunity for the Knicks to exploit, particularly with Karl-Anthony Towns potentially thriving against a depleted Hawks interior.
Jalen Brunson has a history of success against the Hawks, averaging nearly 26 points in his last five encounters. His recent performance against Cleveland showcased his ability to control the game, particularly in critical moments. Given Atlanta’s current injury situation and lack of defensive personnel, Brunson is positioned to have a significant impact.
Expert Predictions for the Showdown
As the Knicks prepare to take on their longtime rivals, analysts are optimistic about their chances.
Jayesh Pagar predicts a dominant performance from New York, suggesting a final score of Knicks 129, Hawks 110. He notes, “Brunson is at the peak of his powers and set to potentially dominate another star-guard chess match.”
Jeremy Bremer echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the timing of the matchup. He believes the Knicks are primed for victory, especially considering Atlanta’s recent struggles. His prediction leans toward a Knicks win of 125-113, stating, “The question isn’t whether or not the Knicks will win, but rather by how much.”
The 8 p.m. ET matchup presents New York with an opportunity to extend their impressive 21-9 record against an Atlanta team desperately searching for defensive solutions. As the Knicks aim for a sixth consecutive victory over the Hawks, all eyes will be on Brunson to see if he can once again exploit Atlanta’s defensive chaos.
