The New York Knicks have been a revelation this season, currently holding the second position in the Eastern Conference with a record of 21 wins and 9 losses. Their recent form includes three victories in their last five games, highlighted by a hard-fought 126-124 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, demonstrating their strong competitive spirit. The Knicks' key strength lies in their robust defence, which is adept at containing interior scoring, controlling rebounds, and forcing turnovers through intense pressure, thus creating opportunities for fast breaks. Offensively, the team revolves around their core player, Jalen Brunson, with a balanced attack both inside and outside, and reliable finishing capabilities in crucial moments. The Atlanta Hawks are currently grappling with a significant injury crisis. Key centre Kristaps Porzingis will be sidelined until at least December 29th due to illness, ruling him out of this game. Additionally, Onyeka Okongwu's participation is questionable, while De'Andre Hunter is out for the season due to a shoulder injury, significantly depleting the team's frontcourt depth. This situation leaves the Hawks reliant on players like Okongwu to bolster their interior defence and offence. The expected starting lineup is likely to feature Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Garrison Matthews, Okongwu, and Rissacher, with the dynamic duo of Young and Johnson forming the core offensive engine for the Hawks.