Knicks vs. Raptors NBA Best Bets: Raptors are Ready to Compete

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks had a four-game winning streak snapped on Saturday when they fell 120-111 to the Detroit Pistons in Madison Square Garden. The loss dropped the Knicks to 14-9 so they are currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Playoff Hunt

The Knicks are planning on making a serious playoff push this year so they will need to get some wins in order to move up the standings to host a playoff series. Every game is crucial when you’re in the playoff hunt like the New York Knicks.

A key name on the injury report for the Knicks is Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns was acquired in the offseason to give the Knicks more spacing and offensive punch. Towns is having a stellar season so far, averaging 25.2 points per game and 13.2 rebounds per game. Towns’ ability to knock down jump shots has helped the Knicks find space and allows his teammate Jalen Brunson more room to get to the rim.

Another player acquired in the offseason is Mikal Bridges, who is starting to give the team better results after a slow start to the season. Bridges has scored at least 19 points in the last four games. Combine that with excellent defense and Bridges is becoming a crucial piece to this Knicks playoff push.

The New York Knicks are known for their stellar defense. However, this year, the defense has not been as good as usual. Still, the Knicks are 11th in points against averaging 111.1 points per game given up. This is in stark contrast to their opponent tonight, the Toronto Raptors, who averaged 117.4 points per game allowed.

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are just 7-17 this season however, they are 6-6 at home. They have played better lately and have been 5-5 over the last 10 games. However they’ve lost their last two games, most recently was a 121-111 loss in Miami to the Heat. The Raptors will come into this game well-rested because their last game was on Friday night.

Injury Challenges

The Raptors are a team that has been struggling with injuries this season. However, they are pleased to have their franchise centerpiece Scottie Barnes back in the lineup.

Barnes has played 13 games this season and in those 13 games he is averaging 34 minutes per game while providing 21 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game. He is also a good passer averaging 7.8 assists per game. Barnes is a versatile defender and can guard the 1-4 positions fairly fluidly. With Barnes continuing to develop into a top NBA player, there is hope for the Raptors’ future, although they are not competitive right now.

Some good news on the injury front has been the return of Gradey Dick and RJ Barrett to the lineup. Both players are excellent scorers and the Raptors are happy to have their offensive firepower back in the mix, especially coming into this tough matchup.

Key Matchup: Davion Mitchell vs. Jalen Brunson

Davion Mitchell is a defensive first point guard for the Toronto Raptors who has the nickname “Off Night”. He earned that nickname because most opposing players seem to have an off night when matched up against him. This will be key because the engine to the Knicks offense is Jalen Brunson.

If Davion Mitchell can force Brunson to have an off night, the Raptors have a great chance to keep this game close and cover the spread. If Jalen Brunson’s elite offensive ability is too much for even the defensive wizardry of Davion Mitchell, the Knicks should cruise to an easy victory.

The Pick

I like the Toronto Raptors to cover the spread of +6 in this game.

Toronto is 16-8 ATS this season and is 9-3 ATS at home. Toronto is 12-7 ATS with one day rest. On the opposite side, the New York Knicks are only 5-7 ATS on the road this year.

After a slow start in which they were beset by injuries, the Toronto Raptors have played much better basketball. As this team rounds into health and finds some chemistry, they will continue to be a smart bet against this spread, especially at home.

Let’s take advantage of this now and bet the Toronto Raptors +6.

NBA Pick: Toronto Raptors +6 (-113) at BetOnline

Toronto Raptors +6 (-113)

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