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Trae Young Aims to Lead Hawks Past Knicks in NBA Cup Quarter

MSG has a NBA Cup contest on tap as the Hawks and the Knicks will both be trying to pick up a win.

(Photo by Getty Images) Trae Young

Atlanta (13-12) at NY Knicks (15-9)

  • When: Dec 11 2024, 7:00 PM
  • Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA
  • TV: ESPN

Game Odds, Spread, Moneyline & Total

Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks
Moneyline

Atlanta Hawks   +260
New York Knicks   -320

Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks
Point Spread

Atlanta Hawks   8.0 (-115)
New York Knicks   -8.0 (-105)

Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks
Total

Over   237.5 (-110)
Under   237.5 (-110)

Key Players:
Atlanta: Trae Young
NY Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns

Team Stats

Hawks   Knicks
13-12 Record 15-9
6-6 Away & Home 8-3
6-4 Last 10 7-3
L1 Streak W1

Last Matchup:
ATL 121-116, November 6th, 2024

Game Preview

The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks face off Wednesday in a high-stakes NBA Cup quarterfinal, with added drama thanks to Trae Young’s history of lighting up Madison Square Garden. While no current Knicks were part of the team that fell to the Hawks in a five-game playoff series in 2021, Young remains a thorn in New York’s side, making this matchup feel like a postseason showdown.

The winner will head to Las Vegas for Saturday’s semifinals to face the Milwaukee Bucks or Orlando Magic, adding plenty of motivation for both teams. The Knicks are coming off a gritty 113-108 comeback win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday, while the Hawks enter the contest looking to bounce back from a 141-111 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. Both teams secured their quarterfinal spots by topping their groups, with the Knicks going undefeated in East Group A and the Hawks narrowly edging out Boston in East Group C.

For New York, the NBA Cup adds another layer of intrigue to a team already chasing championship aspirations. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has kept his team focused on the task at hand, but even the pragmatic Knicks can’t ignore the financial incentives, with players on quarterfinal teams earning $51,497 each and the champions pocketing $514,971 per player. Jalen Brunson acknowledged the money is a motivator, saying, “I think there’s a lot of motivation regardless.”

Atlanta, however, brings a unique X-factor in Young, who thrives in the villain role at MSG. In the 2021 playoff series, Young averaged 29.2 points and 9.8 assists, silencing the crowd with clutch shots and signature celebrations. Knicks fans even taunted Young at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena earlier this season, only to watch him drop 23 points and 10 assists in a Hawks victory.

While Atlanta struggled in Sunday’s blowout loss, Young’s recent form is electric. Last Friday, he became the first NBA player in over 45 years to notch at least 30 points, 20 assists, and five 3-pointers in a game, capping the performance with a game-winning three in overtime against the Lakers.

Bettors should take note: The Knicks have been steady in their recent form, and Madison Square Garden will provide a fierce home-court advantage. However, Young’s ability to rise in big moments makes Atlanta a live underdog. Expect a close, intense battle with plenty of fireworks.

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NBA Parlay Picks & Predictions

Final Score: New York 121-115
Expert Pick: Atlanta +8 (-115) & Under 237½
A $100 Parlay Bet will return $357

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