Knicks vs Hawks preview: Atlanta and New York square off... again

The rubber match is here.

The Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks will face off on Wednesday night in what appears to be a typical January NBA game, but the league’s schedule makers have made it anything but typical. The Hawks and Knicks will occupy the same court for the third time in 12 days, and with the oddity of a four-day break during that run for Atlanta, the third match-up with New York will be intertwined with only two other NBA opponents.

In the first two match-ups, the Hawks prevailed 117-98 at home on Dec. 26, while the Knicks dominated the last meeting on Sunday afternoon to the tune of a 111-97 win. That Sunday matinee will be forever known as "The Arron Afflalo Game", as the shooting guard erupted for 38 points on just 17 field goal attempts, but fortunately for Mike Budenholzer and his team, there will certainly be a short memory when Tuesday’s game tips off at Philips Arena.

With a large-scale view of this particular game, it is one that the Hawks should win. Atlanta enters with a 21-14 record against the 16-19 Knicks, and with the benefit of home court, the Hawks should feel quite comfortable. Still, New York flashed its upside with that effort from Afflalo, and the Knicks picked up that lopsided win despite an 11-point effort from their star in Carmelo Anthony.

It is the first home game for the Atlanta Hawks in 2016, and with the Knicks in town, it is always a fun atmosphere at Philips Arena. Stay with us throughout the day for the latest and, more importantly, roll with us for the game this evening. Let’s do this together.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Tuesday, January 5, 8:00 p.m. ET

Location: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia

TV: Fox Sports Southeast, NBA League Pass

Radio: 92.9 "The Game" FM