NBA Matchups: April 6

Hey, only one tanking team today! 

NYK @ ATL | DET @ ORL | CLE @ MEM | PHI @ SAS | POR @ DEN

New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks

Team Totals: Knicks 113.5, Hawks 115

Injury Report: Jock Landale (O, ankle)

Knicks projected starters: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns

Hawks projected starters: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, C.J. McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu

Brown quotes: Said they got off to a good start against the Bulls, said Sochan was their DPOG, said he had some minutes to fill with KAT out and thought it made sense to put Sochan in there, said he liked Shamet and McBride as the backup PGs and “they’re capable of playing that spot” in the rotation.

Snyder quotes: Said they are more efficient when they are playing faster.

Stats and Notes:

*The Hawks continue to play some of the best defense in the NBA, and it isn’t just about the schedule anymore. They’re second in defensive rating since the break and are a top-five team in defensive rebounding. The Hawks are still giving up some at the basket, and they’re average in C&S stuff allowed. Atlanta is also sixth in offense since the break, and it’s largely because of excellent play from Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. For the Knicks, their offense has been somewhat inconsistent, ranking just 10th since the break. Their defense hasn’t been great lately, with sub-35th-percentile outings in five of their last six games. They give up C&S a ton, and their rim defense has taken a decent hit. It sets up pretty well for the Hawks in this spot.

*Jalen Brunson will likely see a ton of Dyson Daniels to make this a tougher matchup for him. He has been pretty solid against the Hawks with 24 and 34 points this year, and it was Dyson on him for both of those. The Hawks won’t send too many doubles, making it a possible ceiling spot.

*Karl-Anthony Towns gets an OK spot here against Onyeka Okongwu. He went off in his lone game against the Hawks this year with a 36/15/1 line, but Atlanta is just playing at such a higher level defensively right now. They have rebounded well this year to take away some upside on the boards, but overall, KAT should have the most favorable matchup of the NYK offensive pieces.

*It’s more of a neutral spot for the NYK wings with Mikal Bridges likely getting the softest matchup of C.J. McCollum on him. He does have a wide range of outcomes, though.

*Jalen Johnson is coming off the Eastern Conference Player of the Month, and he’ll get a really tough matchup against OG Anunoby. The Knicks have been a little worse with their paint protection, and Johnson should play a ton in this spot.

*Nickeil Alexander-Walker continues to stay hot despite getting snubbed for ECPOTM. He’s been killer on jumpers and has been able to score more in the open floor. His matchup is decent with Mikal on him. Plus, he should play a ton, like Jalen. I like this matchup for him quite a bit.

*Onyeka Okongwu’s matchup isn’t great with the Knicks rebounding pretty well. He does have a high minutes ceiling on him.

Great matchups: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Mikal Bridges

Good matchups: Karl-Anthony Towns, C.J. McCollum, Dyson Daniels

Bad matchups: Onyeka Okongwu

Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic (back end)