Knicks: Previewing the first-round series with the Atlanta Hawks

For the first time since 2013, the New York Knicks return to the playoffs. They’ll slot in as the 4-seed in the Eastern Conference with a 41-31 record, earning home-court advantage through the first round.

Led by RJ Barrett’s 22 points, the Knicks clinched the 4-seed with a 96-92 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday. It wasn’t pretty as New York blew a 21-point lead and was outscored 53-42 in the second half. A win is a win, though.

The New York Knicks secured home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs, and now they’ll face the Atlanta Hawks in a best of seven

In addition to Barrett’s performance, All-Star Julius Randle chipped in 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. This duo has been and will be the focal point of the Knicks game plan heading into the playoffs and beyond.

That said, the rest of the Knicks’ squad should not be underestimated. Nerlens Noel, Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, Alec Burks, Reggie Bullock and more add to the team’s dynamic.

This Knicks’ group will be taking on the 5-seed Atlanta Hawks in a best of seven. The Hawks, who finished the season 41-31, are led by All-Star point guard Trae Young. He’s complemented with perimeter weapons such as Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kevin Huerter and Danilo Gallinari as well as bigs John Collins and Clint Capela.

Like the Knicks, the Hawks have taken a significant jump in the standings from previous years. Just last season, Atlanta finished with the fourth-worst record in the NBA at 20-47. Sure, it was a shortened season due to COVID-19, but 15 more games would not have changed much.

Now, in another abbreviated season, the Hawks doubled their win total in 72 games. The Knicks nearly did that, too, jumping from 21 to 41 wins.

With all that in the past, though, the two 2019-20 bottom feeders will battle for a placement in the second round of the playoffs. Here’s how the rosters stack up.