At 8:30 AM on January 3rd, the New York Knicks will host the Atlanta Hawks. This matchup promises an exciting contest, given the differing performances and trajectories of both teams this season. Examining the statistics, the Knicks have shown improvement. During the preseason, their shooting and three-point percentages were weaker, at 41% and 29.7% respectively. However, in the regular season, these figures increased to 47.8% and 38.6%. Over the last ten games, their shooting has improved further, reaching around 50% and 40%, indicating a positive trend. The Knicks also manage to maintain a similar or slightly better record regarding turnovers than the Hawks, which is advantageous in controlling the game and creating opportunities during transitions. The Atlanta Hawks, demonstrating their own strengths, particularly excel in ball distribution. Their assist rate has been superior to the Knicks, both in the preseason and in recent games. Notably, their recent assist numbers have soared to an impressive 32.4 per game, reflecting effective teamwork and communication. However, their defense, particularly in covering the perimeter, appears slightly weaker than average, potentially requiring improved containment of key scorers and a more aggressive offensive approach to compensate. In conclusion, this upcoming game is expected to be a competitive battle. Both teams bring unique strengths to the court, alongside certain challenges. Whether the Knicks can sustain their momentum, or if the Hawks will leverage their superior organisation to overcome their rivals remains to be seen. 01-03 08:30 New York Knicks Atlanta Hawks Match Outcome: 7.5, Atlanta Hawks Win