🏀 Hawks vs. Knicks Game 1 Player Props: NBA Playoffs Picks & Best Bets (April 18)
The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks kick off their first-round playoff series tonight at Madison Square Garden in a series matchup some are expecting to go the full seven games.
My top Hawks vs. Knicks Game 1 player props include backing Karl-Anthony Towns and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, while also targeting a market in which fading Jalen Brunson makes sense. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. ET (Prime Video), with the Knicks a 5.5-point home betting favorite.
🏀 Best Hawks vs. Knicks Game 1 player props: NBA playoff picks
See all of our experts' NBA picks based on the latest NBA odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.
| Player | Prop bet | Units | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Knicks | Over 32.5 points + rebounds (-106 via FanDuel) | 0.7u -> 0.66u | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Hawks | Over 21.5 points (-119 via DraftKings) | 0.4u -> 0.33u | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Jalen Brunson, G, Knicks | Under 7.5 assists (-129 via DraftKings) | 0.3u -> 0.23u | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Total wagered: 1.4 units | Max profit: 1.22 units
💰 Best Hawks vs. Knicks prop bet
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 32.5 points + rebounds (-106)
This is shaping up to be a Towns series, as the Hawks don't possess the front court to slow down the big man. He went Over this projected combo total in both matchups against Atlanta this season before missing the third meeting due to an illness.
Because KAT has a reputation for being an inconsistent scorer in the playoffs, I look to also benefit from his rebounding ability. Towns averaged nearly a full rebound more at home than on the road this season. I'm backing this combo prop at FanDuel's market-best -106 odds, but there's value up to -115.
🔥 More Hawks vs. Knicks prop picks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 21.5 points (-119)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been the breakout player of the 2025-26 season - as evidenced by him closing as the NBA Most Improved Player Award odds favorite. And the Canadian wing has done his damage against the Knicks.
NAW went Over 21.5 points in all three regular-season games versus New York. As an elite 3-point shooter, it's not surprising this is a solid matchup for him, as the Knicks are a below-average team in defending the deep ball.
Jalen Brunson Under 7.5 assists (-129)
The playoffs are typically the time when Jalen Brunson looks for his own shot - even more than usual.
Brunson only hit the Over on this total in five of 18 games last postseason (28% hit rate). That's why I'm betting the Under at DraftKings' -129 odds.
🚀 Hawks vs. Knicks same-game parlay
I'm targeting a more conservative 2-leg parlay for Hawks vs. Knicks built on my prediction of a strong KAT performance in a New York victory: Towns Over 32.5 points + rebounds and Knicks ML. FanDuel offers the top value on this 2-legger.
💵 Hawks vs. Knicks SGP picks
- Knicks ML (-225)
- Karl-Anthony Towns 30+ points + rebounds (-188)
Best odds: +107 via FanDuel (0.3u -> 0.36u)
💡 How I'm betting Hawks vs. Knicks
Follow all of our NBA analysis and expert predictions this season.
Although we've seen these teams match up three times this season, this is the first of what could be a long opening-round series.
That's why I'm taking my foot off the gas pedal slightly here for Game 1 for evidence gathering so that I can have some insight into what we can expect for the rest of the series - especially on the Hawks side. My most confident bet - Towns Over 32.5 points + rebounds - is the only one in which I bet a full unit on.
🚑 Hawks vs. Knicks injuries
📺 How to watch Hawks vs. Knicks: Game 1
- Date: Saturday, April 18
- Tipoff: 6 p.m. ET
- Location: Madison Square Garden (New York City)
- Streaming: Prime Video
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