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

Knicks vs Hawks NBA playoffs: Series prediction

While it may seem like a time to celebrate as the New York Knicks finally made the playoffs, take Julius Randle’s words: the season is not over.

There are still games to be played, and the Atlanta Hawks won’t be steamrolled. The two teams finished with the same record of 41-31 and the exact same 25-11 and 16-20 home and away splits.

However, what separates the two is the head-to-head matchups. The Knicks defeated the Hawks on all three occasions, and in two of the contests, Randle surpassed 40 points. He will be key to how the series plays out.

Another factor will be the pace of play. The Knicks score just 107 points per game, the 26th best in the league. However, they rank first in points allowed per game with 104.7. The Hawks, on the other hand, score 113.7 and allow 111.4 per game, the 13th and 12th best, respectively.

In the three matchups seen this season, the Knicks have exceeded their points allowed but also their points produced. The Knicks, despite being a defensive-oriented team, outplayed the Hawks on offense each game. So, if that stays consistent into the playoffs, the Knicks should be able to take care of the Hawks.

Of course, this would be a Knicks fan’s dream scenario. However, the more realistic outcome is that the Knicks fall flat on offense in one or two games and the Hawks take advantage.

The Knicks defense will show up. There’s almost no doubt about that given the team’s track record and with Tom Thibodeau coaching. However, shooting about 50 percent from 3, like in the last two games against the Hawks, from behind the arc won’t happen every night.

The good news for the Knicks? There’s room for error. This isn’t a series against the Brooklyn Nets or Milwaukee Bucks. While the Hawks should be taken seriously, a poor shooting night will not cost the team the series.

With all this in mind, the Knicks will win the series in six games. They’ll take advantage of home court, but ultimately steal one game on the road en route to four wins.

Expect some fluctuating scores. Playoff basketball paired with the Knicks’ potent defense smells like low-scoring affairs, but that’s not how the Hawks play nor is it how the three regular-season games turned out. There will certainly be some low scores, but don’t be surprised with a few high ones, too.