The Toronto Raptors could only split their first two games of the season – both at home – against the New York Knicks. And after a couple of wobbly road performances of late, can they contain Carmelo Anthony and co. in the first of two meetings at Madison Square Garden?
Get a complete breakdown of this Atlantic Division showdown with our preview below. Meanwhile, check out more of the NBA’s Monday action with our previews of the Pistons vs. Cavs and Warriors vs. Hawks.
Line: Toronto Raptors (-4) at New York Knicks (+4); total 199.5 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Toronto Raptors (36-18)
After suffering a rare losing skid on the road against the Timberwolves and Bulls – with the All-Star break sandwiched in between – the Toronto Raptors finally got back on track with a 98-85 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies. DeMar DeRozan led the Raps with 21 points, while backcourt partner Kyle Lowry added 18.
Prior to that little skid, the Raptors had gone an incredible 14-1 in 15 games to take full control of the No. 2 seed in the East.
The Raptors have the second-best mark at home in the East, but their road record is a less impressive 17-12. Their defense in their last two road games at Minnesota and Chicago let them down big time. They gave up 117 and 116 points, respectively, in those two games.
They’ve had their problems defending Carmelo Anthony in recent meetings, but the Knicks just haven’t had any answers for DeRozan and Lowry either. The two All-Star guards have combined for 52 points in both meetings against New York this season.
The New York Knicks got a desperately-needed 103-95 win on Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The win was Kurt Rambis’s first in three games as interim head coach.
With Kristaps Porzingis battling foul trouble, Carmelo Anthony stepped up with 30 points and 11 rebounds, while Robin Lopez added 26 and 16. Melo has been on fire in his last three games, averaging 28 points and shooting 57 percent from the field.
The Knicks have been in a horrendous rut of late. They’d lost their last seven in a row prior to that win against Minnesota and 11 of their last 12. They have also struggled on their home floor, going just 1-7 (2-5-1 ATS) in their last eight games at Madison Square Garden.
However, the Knicks have played their Atlantic Division rival Raptors very close in recent meetings. They are an impressive 7-1 ATS in their last eight meetings against Toronto, and 3-2 (4-1 ATS) in the last five at home.
Anthony has been a huge reason for that success, as he’s averaging 30.6 PPG in his last seven against Toronto. He was sorely missed in their latest meeting, a 103-93 Knicks loss on Jan. 28, as he sat out due to a sore knee.
Writer’s Prediction
The Raptors (-4) get big games from DeRozan and Lowry as they come up with a 108-101 win at MSG.
