Game Preview: Knicks at Raptors, December 1, 2023

The New York Knicks (11-7) cross the border tonight for a game against the Toronto Raptors (9-10). The Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons yesterday, but needed to field their starters down the stretch to achieve victory. The Raptors last played on Wednesday and held off the Phoenix Suns, 112-105.

This should be a hard fought game. New coach Darko Rajakovic has Toronto scrapping, and half of their losses have been by single digits. Toronto ranks eighth in the league for defense; New York sits pretty at fourth. Both teams rate in the top-ten for rebounds per game and especially offensive boards. In the frontcourt, Jakob Poeltl can be a handful.

Toronto ranks in the bottom-third for both field goal and distance accuracy. The Knicks rank 28th for FG percentage (ouch), but their seventh-ranked three-point shooting has made up for the short range deficiency.

With Fred VanVleet gone, the top Raptors are Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam. Barnes has averaged 19.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists this season, Siakam has averaged 19.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. Dennis Schröder (PG), O.G. Anunoby (SG), and Poeltl (C) will round out the starting line-up tonight.

A popular figure in Knicks trade conversations, Anunoby has averaged 14.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and two assists this season, while shooting the three-ball well (42%, 6.3 attempts). If he lights up the scoreboard tonight, expect an onslaught of Trade for O.G. articles to follow.

Sophomore center Christian Koloko will sit tonight (respiratory). For New York, expect all the usual faces: Jalen Brunson (PG), Quentin Grimes (SG), R.J. Barrett (SF), Julius Randle (PF), and Mitchell Robinson (C).

UPDATE, as of 4:15 PM:

Prediction

With the Knicks traveling for the second game of a back-to-back, and having played their starters to the final buzzer of yesterday’s tilt, fatigue could be a bother. Against the Pistons, the Knicks looked sleepy, as though they couldn’t find the energy to beat a cellar-dweller, and required 42 points from Jalen Brunson to survive. Tonight, against a more competitive club, the Knicks will be more motivated to prove their mettle. Espn.com gives Toronto a 56% chance of winning. I pick the Knicks by six.

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors

When: 7:30 pm EST, Friday, Dec. 1

Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Canada

Watch: MSG Network

Follow: @ptknicksblog