The New York Knicks (10-7) are heading to Phillips Arena for a Friday night meeting with the Atlanta Hawks (3-15).
New York is 10-4 in their last 14 games after their 108-100 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday. The Knicks trailed by 11 at halftime but had a dominant third quarter where they outscored Toronto 40-11 including a 28-0 run.
The Hawks enter Friday on a three-game losing streak and losers of seven of their last eight. The Los Angeles Clippers ended their nine-game losing streak by defeating Atlanta on Wednesday by the score of 116-103.
The Hawks allowed Los Angeles to shoot 57.9% from the field and 50% on threes.
Likely starters
Knicks: PG - Jarrett Jack, SG - Tim Hardaway Jr., SF - Courtney Lee, PF - Kristaps Porzingis, C - Enes Kanter
Hawks: PG - Dennis Schroder, SG - Kent Bazemore, SF - Taurean Prince, PF - John Collins (Luke Babbitt if available), C - Dewayne Dedmon
Stat leaders for both teams
Knicks: Scoring - Kristaps Porzingis 27.3, Rebounding - Enes Kanter 10.2, Assists - Jarrett Jack 5.4
Hawks: Scoring - Dennis Schroder 19.7, Rebounding - Dewayne Dedmon 8.2, Assists - Dennis Schroder 7.1
Notable injuries
Knicks: none
Hawks: Out - Isaiah Taylor (eye), Questionable - Luke Babbitt (back), Mike Muscala (ankle)
Things to know
Tim Hardaway Jr.
poured in a career-high 38 points in Wednesday’s win against Toronto. After a slow start, he has been an excellent second fiddle for the Knicks behind Kristaps Porzingis. The fifth-year player is not only averaging a career-high in scoring (18.4) but also in rebounding (4.5), assists (3.3), and steals (1.2).
The game will be played in Atlanta where the Hawks have won just once in seven tries this season.
The Knicks are off to a great start, but they have also taken advantage of a home-heavy schedule. They have played only five of their 17 games on the road and have won just one of them.
As much as the Hawks have struggled, they have been one of the better three-point shooting teams. They currently rank third in the league connecting on 38.8 percent of their threes.
Rotation players Taurean Prince, Marco Belinelli, and Luke Babbitt all have made at least 40 percent of their three-pointers while attempting at least 3.9 per game.
Knicks/Hawks history
The Knicks and Hawks have met 367 times with the Hawks owning a 193-174 advantage in the win column. The two teams are tied at 107 wins apiece since the Hawks moved to Atlanta.
Atlanta took three of four against the Knicks last season and won the last three meetings. The most recent game between the teams took place on January 29 and was a four-overtime classic. The Hawks took the win over New York, 142-139.
