New York Knicks vs Toronto-raptors Picks and Predictions December 23rd 2024

New York Knicks vs Toronto-Raptors December 23rd 2024

At 7:30 ET, the New York Knicks (-1044) will host the Toronto Raptors (+673) in a divisional matchup. The Knicks are currently favored by 13.5 points and have won three straight games. The Raptors have lost seven in a row and have a record of 7-22.

This game will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Knicks are 18-10 and are currently the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are 14th in the East and 5th in the Atlantic Division.

Raptors vs. Knicks Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks
• Where: New York at Madison Square Garden
• Date: Monday, December 23rd
• Betting Odds NY -13.5, TOR +673 | NY -1044 O/U 227.5

The Raptors Can Win If…

The Raptors fell to 7-22 on the season after a 114-110 loss to the Rockets on Sunday. Toronto, who were +9 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread at home. The game’s total points of 224 narrowly exceeded the O/U line of 222.5.

Toronto started strong, going on a 10-0 run to build a 25-13 lead, and finished the 1st quarter up 35-24. However, the Rockets chipped away at the lead, winning the 2nd quarter 27-22 and the 3rd quarter 33-26. Houston edged out Toronto 30-27 in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

Ja’Kobe Walter led the Raptors with 27 points, hitting 6 threes at a 54.5% clip in their 114-110 loss to the Rockets. He scored 14 of his points in the 1st quarter and added 9 more in the 4th. Chris Boucher and Ochai Agbaji each contributed 15 points, with Boucher scoring 10 in the 3rd quarter.

The Raptors connected on 17 threes, shooting 39.5% from deep and 45.7% overall. Gradey Dick added 14 points, scoring 5 in both the 1st and 4th quarters, while Jamal Shead and Jamison Battle each chipped in 11 points.

Defensively, the Raptors gave up 114 points to the Rockets, with their toughest quarters being the 3rd and 4th, where they allowed 33 and 30 points, respectively. Despite the loss, Toronto did well in limiting Houston’s three-point shooting, holding them to just 7 made threes on 25% shooting.

Toronto sent Houston to the line 33 times, where they made 27 free throws. The Raptors finished with 31 defensive rebounds but allowed 18 offensive boards. They also contributed 10 steals and 3 blocks.

• Toronto has a 1-2 record in their last three road games. In this stretch, they averaged 111 points per game while allowing 109. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Raptors have a straight up record of 3-7. Their record vs the spread in these games was 7-2-1.
• Over their last five games, the Raptors have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-1-1 vs. the spread.

The Knicks Can Win If…

The Knicks improved to 18-10 on the season with a 104-93 road win over the Pelicans on Saturday. New York, favored by 8 points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 197 points fell well short of the 223.5 O/U line.

After a 10-0 run by the Pelicans in the 1st quarter, New Orleans led 28-17, but the Knicks battled back. New York took control in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Pelicans 33-26, and sealed the win with a strong 4th quarter, holding the Pelicans to 18 points while scoring 26.

Jalen Brunson’s 39-point performance, including 7 threes at a 70% clip, led the Knicks to a win over the Pelicans. He shot 68.4% from the field, and the Knicks hit 15 threes as a team, shooting 40.5% from beyond the arc, despite an overall field goal percentage of 43.7%.

Brunson scored 16 points in the 3rd quarter and added 13 more in the 4th. Mikal Bridges contributed 8 of his 18 points in the final period, while OG Anunoby finished with 16 points, despite shooting just 25% from three.

The Knicks put together a strong defensive performance, holding the Pelicans to just 93 points on Saturday. New York gave up 28 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up after that, allowing just 18 points in the 4th to secure the win. Overall, the Pelicans shot 41% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Knicks limited New Orleans to 12 made threes on 35% shooting. The Pelicans also went 13/19 from the free-throw line. Defensively, New York recorded 11 steals and 3 blocks.

• The Knicks are 3-0 ATS in their last three home games and 3-0 straight-up.
• Although the Knicks have a strong straight up record in their last five games as the betting favorite, they have not done as well vs the spread going 2-3.
• In their last five games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

Knicks vs. Raptors: Smart Picks for Today! Discover key insights and predictions for this must-watch matchup.

The Lean

For a point-spread bet in this Raptors vs. Knicks matchup, we’re leaning towards the Raptors at +13.5. Although our projections show the Knicks winning 136-135, we suggest placing your bet on the Raptors for the point-spread.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 227.5 and given that our model is projecting 271 points between the teams, we like the over.

Knicks Look to Keep Rolling Against Slumping Raptors

The New York Knicks are back at Madison Square Garden on Monday, fresh off a three-game road trip sweep. They’re hosting the Toronto Raptors, a team bogged down by injuries and carrying the weight of a seven-game losing streak. This Eastern Conference showdown is shaping up to be more than just a game—it’s a clash of momentum versus desperation.

Knicks Riding High on Recent Wins

The Knicks have been firing on all cylinders lately, going 8-2 in their last 10 games. On their road trip, their defense shined, holding both the Orlando Magic (100-91) and the New Orleans Pelicans (104-93) to under 100 points. When it came to Minnesota, they turned up the offense, blowing out the Timberwolves 133-107.

Jalen Brunson: The Knicks’ Heartbeat

Jalen Brunson has been an absolute force, putting up two back-to-back 30+ point games, including a season-best 39 points against New Orleans. While his scoring average this season (25.1 PPG) is a bit shy of last year’s All-NBA campaign (28.7 PPG), his leadership is undeniable.

“It’s not the same every night,” Brunson explained. “I’ve got to stay locked in and keep my teammates involved, even while staying aggressive.”

A Team Effort

The Knicks aren’t just riding Brunson’s coattails. Karl-Anthony Towns, the team’s biggest offseason addition, has been a game-changer with 24.5 points per game, giving New York more offensive variety. Mikal Bridges has been Mr. Reliable, stepping up when the team needs a boost. With a balanced roster and everyone playing their role, the Knicks are looking like a well-oiled machine.

Raptors Struggling to Find Their Groove

Toronto, on the other hand, is searching for answers. Their latest defeat—a 114-110 heartbreaker against Houston—was their seventh in a row. The Raptors gave up a 16-point lead in that game, which has become a painful pattern for them this season.

Shining Rookie Moments

Not everything’s been bleak for Toronto. Rookie guard Ja’Kobe Walter has been stepping up big time. Against Houston, he dropped a career-high 27 points, showing the confidence that’s been growing with his increased minutes.

“It’s just basketball at the end of the day”

Jamal Shead, another promising rookie, also had a career night with 10 assists. His playmaking potential is a silver lining in an otherwise tough stretch for the Raptors.

The Injury Bug Bites Hard

Toronto’s biggest challenge? Staying healthy. Leading scorer RJ Barrett (23.5 PPG) missed the Houston game due to illness, while Scottie Barnes is battling through a list of injuries that have clearly taken a toll. On Sunday, Barnes managed only six points on a rough 2-for-15 shooting night. Even Immanuel Quickley, a former Knick, is sidelined with an elbow injury, leaving the Raptors scrambling for answers.

Coach Darko Rajakovic admitted the struggles, saying, “Scottie’s not himself right now. He’s banged up, but he’ll get better.”

Knicks vs Raptors: What to Watch For

The last time these teams met, the Knicks pulled out a 113-108 win in Toronto. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges all had standout performances, while Ja’Kobe Walter showed flashes of his potential with 19 points for the Raptors.

Keys for the Knicks

1. Defensive Intensity: Shutting down Toronto’s young stars like Walter and Shead will be key.
2. Balanced Scoring: Keeping the offense flowing through Brunson, Towns, and Bridges will make them tough to stop.
3. Exploiting Injuries: Taking advantage of the Raptors’ depleted lineup could give the Knicks an early edge.

Keys for the Raptors

1. Rookie Contributions: Walter and Shead need to keep playing big roles to make up for missing veterans.
2. Rebounding: They’ll need to box out and limit second-chance points, especially against Towns.
3. Protecting the Ball: Turnovers could be a death sentence against a Knicks team that thrives on momentum.

Players to Watch

Knicks

• Jalen Brunson: The engine of New York’s offense, both as a scorer and a playmaker.
• Karl-Anthony Towns: A versatile big man who can dominate inside and stretch the floor.
• Quentin Grimes: A defensive spark plug who thrives in high-energy matchups.

Raptors

• Ja’Kobe Walter: A rising star with the ability to take over games.
• Jamal Shead: A facilitator who can keep the offense humming.
• Scottie Barnes: If he’s healthy, he’s a game-changer.

The Bottom Line

The Knicks head into this matchup with the upper hand—a deeper, healthier roster and momentum on their side. But don’t count out the Raptors just yet. Their rookies are showing flashes of brilliance, and if their veterans can get healthy, they might just have a shot at ending their losing streak.

Knicks vs. Raptors has all the makings of a must-watch game, with New York looking to extend their winning streak and Toronto desperate to turn their season around. Keep an eye on Jalen Brunson and Ja’Kobe Walter—they could be the difference-makers in this clash at the Garden.

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