The New York Knicks have been struggling lately, the Atlanta Hawks have been soaring, and that adds up to a bad spot for the Knickerbockers when they visit Atlanta on Friday (7:30 pm ET, MSG, SportSouth). New York is 3-7 SU in its past 10 overall, a very average 12-12 SU on the road this season, and 3-6 SU in its last nine trips to Atlanta.
The Knicks were full of hope when the season began, mainly because of the arrival of Amar'e Stoudemire last summer via free agency. But New York opened at 3-7 SU to start the campaign and it looked like another losing season was ahead. And then the team went on a torrid 13-2 SU run from mid-November thru mid-December, and once again the Knicks were the toast of the town.But since then, the Knicks are 6-12 SU, and just ended a six-game losing streak - their second of the season - against the lowly Washington Wizards earlier this week.
Atlanta is 7-3 SU in its past 10 and a very respectable 14-7 SU at home, fifth best in the Eastern conference. Like the Orlando Magic, the Hawks seem to be getting extra motivation because of the arrival of LeBron James in the Southeast division. With James in Miami, both the Magic and Hawks seem to be trying to keep up with the Heat, and they're doing a good job, with Atlanta just a game behind Orlando and three back of Miami.
Speaking of Miami, that's who New York faced Thursday night - at home. A trip to Atlanta to face the rested and waiting Hawks spells doom for the Knicks, and good news for Hawks backers.
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