The Toronto Raptors (16-22, 11-9 Home) will try to overcome one of the league’s top shooting defenses when they host the New York Knicks (21-18, 11-8 Away) on Friday. New York edged past the San Antonio Spurs 117-114 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, their third win in a row.
Jalen Brunson led the way with 38 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. The Knicks are seventh in the Eastern Conference. Toronto lost a close one on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena, falling to the Milwaukee Bucks 104-101 in overtime.
Fred VanVleet had 28 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds in the losing effort to lead the team. The Raptors are 12th in the Eastern Conference.
The teams are meeting for the final time this season. Toronto will be seeking a season sweep against New York after earning the win in the only prior meeting 113-106 at Madison Square Garden in December 2022.
Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 52 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Julius Randle had 30 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.Randle and Brunson, averaging 24.2 and 20.8 points per game, respectively, are leading the Knicks in scoring this season.
Randle also has grabbed 10.0 rebounds per game, 10th-most in the league, while Brunson has dished 6.5 assists per game. Siakam’s 25.9 points per game have powered the Raptors on offense. Siakam has also averaged 8.3 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. The Knicks rank as one of the toughest FG% defenses in the league, holding the opposition to a third-lowest rate of 45.3%.
The Knicks are winless in their last 10 visits to Scotiabank Arena. In the last 10 games, New York is 5-5 with an average margin of +5.6 (113.9-108.3). Toronto has gone 3-7 over the last 10, allowing 113.5 points per game on average while scoring only 110.5 (-3.0 margin).
KNICKS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Immanuel Quickley: 34.2 | 19.4 | +14.8
RJ Barrett: 1.0 | 28.2 | -27.2
Points per game:
Jalen Brunson: 31.0 | 20.8 | +10.2
RJ Barrett: 0.0 | 19.7 | -19.7
Rebounds per game:
Julius Randle: 14.0 | 10.0 | +4.0
Isaiah Hartenstein: 3.2 | 6.3 | -3.1
Assists per game:
Julius Randle: 5.2 | 3.8 | +1.4
RAPTORS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Gary Trent Jr.: 31.6 | 21.9 | +9.7
Precious Achiuwa: 4.5 | 15.3 | -10.8
Points per game:
Gary Trent Jr.: 25.8 | 18.1 | +7.7
Fred VanVleet: 13.7 | 18.5 | -4.8
Rebounds per game:
Precious Achiuwa: 1.0 | 6.1 | -5.1
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Toronto Raptors (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
