New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors Preview
Where: Air Canada Centre – Toronto, Canada
When: Sunday, January 15, 2017, 3:00 PM ET
Line: New York Knicks (+9.5) at Toronto Raptors (-9.5); total: 218.0 – view all NBA lines
Writer’s Pick: Toronto Raptors (-9.5)
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Betting on the New York Knicks (18-22)
The New York Knicks finally got a much-needed win as they defeated the Chicago Bulls, 104-89. However, it should be noted that Jimmy Butler missed out due to illness. The loss snapped the Knicks’ three-game losing skid, but they are still only 2-9 in their last 11 games.
Carmelo Anthony led the way with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists against the Bulls. Rookie Mindaugas Kuzminskas chipped in with a career-high 19 points, while Derrick Rose had 17 against his lod team. Melo has been stellar over the past couple of weeks. He’s averaging 23.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists over his last six games.
The Knicks will need Melo to continue his great play as they await the return of Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis missed out against Chicago after he aggravated the Achilles injury which cost him three games a couple of weeks ago. Porzingis will be much more careful about returning too early, so he’s set to miss out against Toronto.
Anthony had 31 points in the Knicks’ first meeting against the Raptors. Porzingis and Rose added 21 points apiece. However, it wasn’t enough to prevent a 118-107 defeat.
The Knicks have been a hot mess on the road lately. They’re just 1-8 (4-5 ATS) in their last nine games outside of Madison Square Garden.
Betting on the Toronto Raptors (26-13)
The Toronto Raptors have bounced back from back-to-back losses to the Bulls (123-118) and Rockets (129-122) in some fashion. They’ve responded by racking up back-to-back wins against the Celtics (114-106) and Nets (132-113).
DeMar DeRozan has been instrumental in both those wins. The prolific shooting guard racked up 41 points – including a bunch of clutch 4th-quarter buckets – with 13 rebounds against the Celtics. He then had 28 points in 30 minutes against the Nets. Backcourt running mate Kyle Lowry, meanwhile, has averaged 22 PPG, 5 RPG, and 7.5 APG over those two games.
DeRozan also had a big game in their first meeting with the Knicks. He led the team with 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Norman Powell had 19 points, while Lowry added 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Raptors backup big man Patrick Patterson missed out on the Raptors’ most recent game against the Nets due to the sore knee which kept him out of a handful of games recently. However, it’s more of a precaution and could yet make his return against the Knicks.
The Raptors are 7-3 (6-4 ATS) in their last 10 home games. They’ve also gone 4-1 (2-3 ATS) in their last five at home against the Raptors.
Writer’s Prediction
The Raptors (-9.5) hand the Knicks another road loss, 115-101.
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