The Toronto Raptors looked fierce after securing one of the top seeds in the NBA Cup, but RJ Barrett’s injury quickly took the edge off their attack.
Now, they’ll need to rediscover their shooting touch from beyond the arc if they hope to reach the semifinals against a New York Knicks squad playing some of its best basketball.
Advertisement
My Knicks vs. Raptors predictions break down this NBA Cup quarterfinals matchup with my best NBA picks.
Knicks vs Raptors prediction
Knicks vs Raptors best bet: Scottie Barnes Over 1.5 threes (+140)
It’s pretty clear at this point what RJ Barrett has meant to the Toronto Raptors this season.
Toronto was in a groove with a 12-5 record before Barrett hurt his knee in a November 23 meeting with the Brooklyn Nets. Since them, the Raptors are just 3-5 straight up and 1-7 against the spread, including 1-5 SU and 0-6 ATS in their last six overall.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are starting to play their best basketball of the season. They are 7-1 SU/ATS in their last eight overall, which includes a 116-94 win over the Raps at Madison Square Garden back on November 30.
Advertisement
However, the Knicks are an interesting team. They basically live and die by the three-ball. New York attempts the sixth-most threes per game with the fifth-highest shooting percentage while at the same time allowing opponents to take the fourth-most threes per game and ranking 19th in opponent three-point shooting percentage.
Now, with the way these teams are trending, I lean toward the Knicks covering this spread, but one of the Raptors’ strengths is defending the perimeter (third-best opponent three-point shooting perentage), and are a better team at home, so I hesitate a little there.
But someone without hesitation for the Raptors this season is Scottie Barnes. The former Rookie of the Year is having a great season, averaging 20 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He is also shooting the ball better than ever before, draining a career-high 39.8% of his threes.
He’s shooting 40% from beyond the arc over his last five games, hitting two or more three times. That includes going 4-for-7 from deep in that November 30 meeting against the Knicks.
Advertisement
The Raptors know if they want to pull off the upset in this NBA Cup quarterfinal, they’ll have to hit some threes, so there is a ton of value for Barnes to nail a few more on Tuesday night.
Knicks vs Raptors same-game parlay
While it didn’t quite make best bet status, I’ll happily add Knicks -4.5 to this SGP. Not only does it not create the negative correlation we love for these SGPs, but New York is just playing very well right now.
The Knicks have won seven of their last eight games with a net rating that only trails the Oklahoma City Thunder during that stretch. With the Raptors still struggling to find consistency without RJ Barrett, it’s hard to back them when it comes to covering this number in this spot.
Advertisement
And it’s the Raptors’ offense that has really struggled in Barrett’s absence. They rank next-to-last in offensive rating since Barrett got hurt, and the Under is 6-3 in those nine games without him. That includes the most recent matchup with the Knicks.
Knicks vs Raptors SGP
Scottie Barnes Over 1.5 threes
Our “from downtown” SGP: Anunoby back in a big way
OG Anunoby returns to Toronto with a bang. In his second game back from injury he went 5-for-7 from three and you know he’s comfortable in Scotiabank Arena.
Knicks vs Raptors SGP
Scottie Barnes Over 1.5 threes
OG Anunoby Over 1.5 threes
Knicks vs Raptors odds
Spread: Knicks -4.5 | Raptors +4.5
Moneyline: Knicks -190 | Raptors +165
Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5
Knicks vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors are 0-7 against the spread in their last seven games in a row. All without RJ Barrett, who will be out once again Tuesday night. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Raptors.
Advertisement
How to watch Knicks vs Raptors
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Knicks vs Raptors latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here