New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks: X-factors, key matchups, and a prediction

Digging deeper into the first-round NBA Playoff series between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks. 

Two of the better feel-good stories in the Eastern Conference this season revolved around the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks. Neither made the postseason last year or even qualified for the NBA’s restart, but both will have a good opportunity to advance beyond the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

The Knicks have only made the playoffs five times in the last 20 years and only have one series win combined in those five trips. The last time New York made the playoffs was during the 2012-13 season. It’s been four years since the Hawks last made the postseason, but did have an Eastern Conference Finals appearance during the 2014-15 season.

This is the first time that both teams have made the playoffs with their current cores and both franchises are considered up-and-coming young teams.

How will this 4-5 matchup play out? Ahead of Game 1, we take a closer look at the matchup between the Knicks and Hawks by identifying x-factors, breaking down key matchups, and making a prediction.