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This article will look at a preview and prediction for the Friday night matchup.<\/p>\n
Raptors vs. Knicks prediction, preview<\/p>\n
The Toronto Raptors hold a 45-35 record on the season, and have climbed to fifth place in the Eastern Conference. They currently hold the same record as the Atlanta Hawks, but Toronto holds the advantage in the tiebreakers. The Magic are also one game behind in the standings, making for a tight race in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are coming off back-to-back wins over the Miami Heat and have won five of their past eight. On the season, the Raptors have gone 41-39 against the spread, and the game total has remained under in 49 of their 80 games played.<\/p>\n
Immanuel Quickley, Collin Murray-Boyles, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Chucky Hepburn have each been ruled out for tonight. Brandon Ingram headlines the scoring production for Toronto, posting averages of 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Scottie Barnes sets the tone on both sides of the ball, adding 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. RJ Barrett also pitches in 19.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jakob Poeltl, Ja\u2019Kobe Walter, and Jamal Shead also play notable roles. <\/p>\n
Darko Rajakovic\u2019s squad is averaging 114.6 points per game, which ranks 21st in the NBA. The Raptors also rank 15th in offensive rating, eighth in field-goal percentage, and 22nd in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 111.9 points per game against Toronto, which ranks ninth in the NBA. Toronto also ranks fifth in defensive rating, 10th in opponents\u2019 field-goal percentage, and seventh in opponents\u2019 three-point percentage.<\/p>\n
The New York Knicks sit in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 52-28 record on the season. They are two games behind the Celtics for the second seed and hold a one-game lead over the Cavaliers in the fourth seed. New York enters this game on a four-game winning streak and has won 11 of their last 14. On the season, the Knicks have gone 41-39 against the spread, and the game total has remained under in 43 of their 80 games played. <\/p>\n
Mitchell Robinson and Myles McBride have been ruled out for tonight\u2019s game, while Tyler Kolek is considered questionable. Jalen Brunson headlines the production with 26.0 points, 6.9 assists, and 3.3 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns pitches in 20.0 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists of his own. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges round out the production at the wings, while Josh Hart is largely the glue of the overall team. Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet also make notable impacts off the bench. <\/p>\n
As a team, the Knicks are scoring 116.8 points per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. New York also ranks third in offense rating, 10th in field goal percentage, and fourth in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 110.3 points per game against the Knicks, which ranks fifth in the league. They also rank eighth in defensive rating, fifth in opponents\u2019 field goal percentage, and 20th in opponents\u2019 three-point percentage. <\/p>\n
Raptors vs. Knicks pick, best bet<\/p>\n
The Knicks have gotten the better of the matchup with the Raptors in all four games so far this season. However, the stakes are slightly different with just two games remaining in the regular season. Toronto has met the challenge of increasing their intensity and desire as they attempt to ensure they finish above the play-in tournament line and earn a full playoff opportunity. <\/p>\n
Both these teams are in good form, with the Knicks winning 11 of their last 14 and the Raptors\u2019 back-to-back wins over the Heat improving their postseason standings in a major way. New York has won the rebounding battle in all four matchups thus far, and each victory has come by 16 points or greater. However, they will be without Mitchell Robinson for this matchup and his ridiculous 16.1 rebounds per 36 minutes. He is averaging 10 rebounds across the three games he has been on the floor against Toronto. It took an all-out effort from New York last night to take down the Celtics, while the Raptors largely coasted through a lackluster Heat team.<\/p>\n
In flashes, Toronto has a legitimate elite defense that should have success limiting the damage from the Knicks\u2019 attack. The Knicks have played at the third-slowest pace since the All-Star break, which should be trouble in this matchup. Toronto is at its best guarding in the half-court, with plenty of hard-nosed defenders who will cause trouble and can switch positions successfully.<\/p>\n
In contrast, expect the Raptors to look to push the tempo and get out in transition. Count on Toronto playing with a necessary level of desperation and bringing all-out effort from start to finish in this game. They are playing their best basketball at the right time, and they match up with the Knicks far better than the raw results in the box score show. Count on a playoff-like atmosphere and for every basket to be difficult to come by in this game. I am backing the Raptors to keep this competitive and within the 6.5-point spread<\/a>. For the sake of the article, I am sticking with the spread. But the Raptors should be viewed as live underdogs tonight. <\/p>\n