The Toronto Raptors (7-22) travel to face off against the New York Knicks (18-10) on Monday, December 23rd. This game will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York and televised on MSG. The Knicks are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Raptors are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Raptors. Tip-off is set for 7:30 ET.

Raptors vs Knicks

The Raptors Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

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

Toronto started strong, going on a 10-0 run to stretch their lead from 15-13 to 25-13 and ended 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. Heading into the 4th quarter down 84-83, the Raptors couldn’t mount a comeback, as Houston edged them 30-27 in the final period.

The Knicks Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

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.

New Orleans went on a 10-0 run early, but the Knicks took control in the 2nd half. After outscoring the Pelicans 33-26 in the 3rd quarter, New York held them to just 18 points in the 4th, pulling away for the win.

Raptors Offense Breakdown

Ja’Kobe Walter led the Raptors with 27 points and 6 threes, shooting 54.5% from deep in their 114-110 loss to the Rockets on Sunday. Walter scored 14 points in the 1st quarter and added 9 more in the 4th. Overall, the Raptors hit 17 threes at a 39.5% clip.

Ochai Agbaji and Chris Boucher each contributed 15 points, with Boucher adding 10 of his in the 3rd quarter. The Raptors shot 45.7% from the field as a team.

Knicks Offense Breakdown

Jalen Brunson’s 39-point performance, including 7 threes at 70% shooting, led the Knicks to a win over the Pelicans. Brunson hit 16 points in the 3rd quarter and added 13 more in the 4th. The Knicks made 15 threes as a team, shooting 40.5% from beyond the arc.

Mikal Bridges contributed 18 points, with 8 coming in the final quarter. OG Anunoby added 16 points, despite shooting just 35.3% from the field. The Knicks finished with a 43.7% field goal percentage overall.

Raptors Team Defense

Defensively, the Raptors held the Rockets to 114 points on 44% shooting but struggled in the 3rd and 4th quarters, giving up 33 and 30 points, respectively. They did well defending the three, allowing just 7 made threes on 25% shooting.

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

Knicks Team Defense

Defensively, the Raptors allowed 114 points to the Rockets, giving up 33 points in the 3rd quarter and 30 in the 4th. However, they limited Houston’s three-point shooting, holding them to just 7 made threes on 25% shooting.

Toronto sent Houston to the free-throw line 33 times, where they made 27 shots. The Raptors also gave up 18 offensive rebounds but recorded 10 steals and 3 blocks.

Raptors vs Knicks Trends

• When looking at their past five road matchups, Toronto has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 108 per game. The team went 1-4 overall in these games.
• When looking at their past three matchups at home, New York has an ATS record of 3-0 while averaging 112 per game. The team went 3-0 overall in these games.
• In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Raptors have a straight up record of 0-3 and an ATS mark of 2-0-1.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Knicks have a straight up record of 7-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 5-5.

Raptors vs Knicks Prediction

For a pick on the point-spread in this Knicks vs. Raptors matchup, our bet is to grab the Raptors at +13.5. Even though our projections have the Knicks winning 136-135, we see the Raptors as the play on the point-spread.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 227.5 and our model has the Raptors and Knicks finishing with a combined 271 points. Our pick is to take the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.