Raptors look to end on a high note before heading back on the road
The Toronto Raptors will host the New York Knicks in their final game of a five-game home stand. These teams have yet to meet this season, with this being the first of their four matchups scheduled. The last time they met, the Knicks took a definitive, 44 point victory. The caveat? Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, and Kelly Olynyk were the only players to suit up in that game that will also appear in this one.
The Knicks have had a strong start to the season with a record of 14-9, good for fourth in the East. Led by Brunson, who is averaging almost 25 points and 8 assists per game, and Towns who is averaging 25 points and 13 rebounds per game, the team once again has championship aspirations. The supporting cast of Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and Miles McBride compliments the stars, and of course, no one can forget OG Anunoby who will return to Toronto in the midst of one of his best statistical seasons, averaging almost 18-5-2 on 49% from the field and 38% from long range. New York boasts the 6th best offence and the 11th best defence in the league, a recipe for their success thus far. They won’t go away easily, but after a pair of losses against challenging opponents from the West, a win to close out the home stand would feel good for the Raptors.
For Toronto, the keys to success will be pace, rebounding, and 3-point shooting. The Knicks have 3 of the 10 players that play the most minutes in the league. After the starters, there’s a pretty steep drop off in floor time. Toronto already succeeds in transition and likes to play with speed, allowing for the opportunity to out-pace their opponent. They can also out-do them rebounding, as the Knicks average only 42 per game, ranked 25th in the league. With the loss of Hartenstein in the offseason, Robinson due to injury, and now possibly Towns with an injury as well, the Knicks can be overpowered in the paint. With the way Jakob has been playing, especially on the boards, this will be a big game for him. A little bit of bully-ball down low could give Toronto the edge in this matchup. Defensively, the Knicks are a stronger team so the Raptors will also need to rely on moving the ball to open shooters and converting. Ochai, Scottie, Gradey, and RJ will all have to hit their long-range opportunities to keep the defence honest.
Probable Starters:
Toronto: Ochai Agbaji, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick, Scottie Barnes
New York: Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Jericho Sims
Injuries:
Toronto: Bruce Brown (Out: Reconditioning), D.J. Carton (Out: G League - Two-Way) Immanuel Quickley (Out: Left Partial UCL Tear)
New York: Boo Buie III (Out: G League - Two-Way), Kevin McCullar Jr. (Out: G League - Two-Way) Cameron Payne (Questionable: Left Elbow Effusion) Mitchell Robinson (Out: Left Ankle Surgery), Karl-Anthony Towns (Questionable: Right Patellar Tendinopathy)
How to Watch:
7:30pm ET on TSN
