NBA Odds: NBA Cup Quarter Final Analysis

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Analysis Knicks-Hawks NBA Cup Quarter Final

New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks Renew Rivalry

The New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks will face off in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday. Although both teams are conference rivals, they aren’t as familiar with each other as they once were due to recent roster changes and drastic shifts in their playing styles.

The Hawks no longer rely entirely on Trae Young for their offense and finally have a respectable defense after years of struggles. Meanwhile, the Knicks are no longer the defense-first team you’d expect from a Tom Thibodeau-led squad. Instead, they now excel at scoring in bursts and outscoring their opponents most nights.

Here are three keys to the game:

1. “Ice Trae” vs. Knicks Fans

Knicks fans still have PTSD from what Trae Young did to them in the 2021 playoffs, and the Hawks take every opportunity to remind them of that moment during each visit to Madison Square Garden. In the 2021-22 season, Young scored 45 points in his only visit to the Garden, solidifying his reputation as the modern-day Reggie Miller.

However, since those performances, he hasn’t had as much success. Last year, he missed both road games due to injury and averaged just 18 points in two games during the 2022-23 season. Wednesday’s game will be the most significant for Young’s return to New York since 2021, and you can be sure that fans will boo him every time he touches the ball. Despite this, Young has shown that he thrives off silencing opposing fanbases.

2. The Towns-Brunson Tandem

According to Second Spectrum tracking data, the pick-and-roll between Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson generates an average of 1.23 points per play, the highest in the league. In other words, nearly every time Towns sets a screen for Brunson, it leads to a scoring opportunity for one of the two or another teammate. This duo has wreaked havoc on the league, propelling the Knicks to the top-ranked offense. The Hawks’ defenders will have their hands full.

3. The Great Barrier Thief

It’s hard to think of a more significant offseason acquisition than Dyson Daniels. The 21-year-old leads the NBA in steals (3.2) and is on pace to average the most since Alvin Robertson’s record-setting 1985-86 season. Daniels’ disruptive play has earned him the nickname “The Great Barrier Thief,” a title he embraces wholeheartedly.

Along with Jalen Johnson on the wings, Daniels has done an excellent job guarding opponents’ top scorers, covering for the undersized Trae Young’s weaknesses. In their previous matchup with the Knicks, Daniels collected four steals, which made life difficult for Brunson in their direct matchup.

Bet on the Best NBA Odds

This is a thrilling matchup full of excitement and great opportunities. Betting on the NBA Odds becomes even more exciting with each key play. Will you dare to bet on the Knicks or the Hawks?