Eastern Conference Clash: Hawks Seek Home Advantage Against High-Flying New York Knicks Amidst Injury Concerns and Winning Streaks

On December 28th at 09:00, the Atlanta Hawks host the New York Knicks in a significant Eastern Conference matchup. The Knicks, currently second in the East with a 21-9 record, are on a hot streak, winning 8 of their last 10 games. Led by Jalen Brunson, averaging 29.1 points per game, the Knicks are a formidable opponent, despite injuries to key guards like Hart and Shamet. The Hawks, holding a 15-17 record and sitting 10th in the East, are struggling, having lost five consecutive games. The Hawks' star duo of Trae Young and Jalen Johnson face challenges, including injuries in the paint and defensive vulnerabilities. The Knicks have a slight edge in recent encounters, winning three of the last five games against the Hawks. However, the Hawks are looking to leverage home advantage to break their losing streak. The Knicks aim to solidify their standing in the standings. Trae Young has been exceptional recently, averaging 29 points and 10 assists over his last three games, with impressive shooting percentages of 52.1% from the field and 54.2% from three-point range. Jalen Johnson has also been in stellar form, averaging 28.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 8.8 assists over the last five games. The Hawks lead the league in assists, averaging 31.1 per game, highlighting their fluid team offense. Their 36.9% three-point shooting and league-leading 9.2 steals per game indicate a potent offense and effective transition game. Despite the Knicks' strong ranking, injuries to key players like Hart and Shamet, combined with defensive vulnerabilities from Brunson and Towns, could pose challenges. The Hawks, facing a five-game losing streak, are desperate for a win and are looking to capitalise on the Knicks' weaknesses to pull off an upset. Match Recommendation: Atlanta Hawks +6.5