Toronto Raptors vs New York Knicks: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

What: Toronto Raptors vs New York Knicks

Where: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

When: Thursday, March 28th at 7:30 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): SN1/E and MSGN | TSN Radio 1050 Toronto

Toronto Raptors (Away)

Head Coach: Nick Nurse {All-Time 52-23 | TOR}

Expected Starting Five: (G) Kyle Lowry – (G) Danny Green – (F) Kawhi Leonard – (F) Pascal Siakam – (C) Marc Gasol

The Toronto Raptors enter this match against the New York Knicks after a win over the Chicago Bulls. With a record of 52-23 the Raptors are four games behind the Milwaukee Bucks and likely out of the running for first in the East. Despite that, one of the easiest remaining schedules in the NBA leaves the remainder of the year in favour of Toronto.

The Toronto Raptors have been playing brilliantly as of late, regardless of the quality of their competition. They are 6-4 in their last ten games and have a +5.4 point differential against the rest of the league. The Knicks are at the bottom of the East, so expect the Raptors to go deep into their bench to spell their stars.

The Toronto Raptors will look to sweep the season series over the bottom-feeding Knicks with their last visit to New York this year. The Raptors have had some health scares recently, so expect them to go give a good look to their reserves. As they prime themselves for the playoffs, the Raptors are sure to play diligent basketball against an inferior Knicks squad.

New York Knicks (Home)

Head Coach: David Fizdale {All-Time 64-111 | MEM, MYK}

Expected Starting Five: (G) Emmanuel Mudiay – (G) Mario Jezonja – (G) Damyean Dotson – (F) Kevin Knox – (C) DeAndre Jordan

If you believe in the tanking theory, the Knicks are close to their true goal of landing in the bottom of the standings in order to finish near the top of the NBA Draft Lottery. With a record of 14-60, the Knicks are last in the East and last in the NBA.

The New York Knicks are currently on a four-game losing streak. Most recently losing to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Knicks haven’t won in four games since their win over the Los Angeles Lakers in a one-point affair. They are 1-9 in their last ten and don’t project to have another win for the remainder of the year.

The last match between the Knicks and the Raptors was a more chippy affair than many expected. As much as you can say in a 36-point loss. While they were lit up by former Knick guard Jeremy Lin for 20 points, New York showed they have some talented individual assists if not a winning overall formula.

What’s At Stake?

The New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors have one of the NBA’s more underrated rivalries. In 92 regular season games, the Toronto Raptors lead the New York Knicks 51-41.

A win for the Toronto Raptors would leave them second in the East, but just 3.5 games out from the first place Milwaukee Bucks.

Regardless of the outcome, the Knicks would remain at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and the NBA.

Questions to answer

How deep will the Raptors go?

Is it the end for Frank Ntilikina?

We are going to compare the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

The Toronto Raptors Are Health-Concious

It is no secret, what happened to the Toronto Raptors come playoff time in previous years. A brilliant first half of the season is derailed via key injuries and the lack of repetition affects them in the playoffs.

When the Toronto Raptors face off against the New York Knicks, they certainly expect to go deep into their bench to ensure safety to their star players. Chris Boucher, Jordan Loyd, and Malcolm Miller will likely be with Raptors 905 competing for the G-League Championship, so they’re bench will be thinner than usual.

What is important for the Raptors is their long-term capabilities. Norman Powell is coming off of a strong performance against the Bulls and Jeremy Lin will look to get back on track as he has struggled recently. There is little threat to the Raptors playoff chances, so expect some creative lineups against the Knicks.

Frank Ntilikina Is Hurt Again

In Sunday’s match, Belgian point guard Frank Ntilikina managed to get injured again, reinjuring his groin and leaving after only six minutes of play. A lottery pick in 2017, Frank Ntilikina logged 25 minutes on Friday before leaving the court in their most recent match.

If Ntilikina is shut down for the season he would have appeared in just 43 matches in the 18-19 season. The storied pairing of the Knicks future, him and Dennis Smith, would not get a single minute on the court together. Most importantly, at only 20 years-old Ntilikina would take a tremendous blow to his reputation and future career prospects.

Ntilikina is still a talented defender and a solid playmaker for a player so young. At only 20 years old it is unfathomable to believe the Knicks would give up on a prospect so early, but he is already being used as bait in packages for the upcoming NBA offseason. It is difficult to tell what the future holds for Ntilikina, but it is clear that the Knicks are not ready to wait for his production.

Toronto Raptors Roster Notes

F OG Anunoby – 27 Mar 2019 – Questionable (Concussion) – OG Anunoby passed the initial phase of concussion protocol after suffering a blow to the head against the Chicago Bulls. More tests are needed, but Anunoby is expected to be a game-time decision.

New York Knicks Roster Notes

F Kevin Knox – 24 Mar 2019 – Day To Day (Ankle) – Knox left Sunday’s (Mar 24) game with an apparent ankle injury and will not return.

G Frank Ntilikina – 24 Mar 2019 – Day To Day (Sore Groin) – Ntilikina is Doubtful to return to Sunday’s (Mar 24) game.

G Dennis Smith – 23 Mar 2019 – Day To Day (Back) – Smith Jr. is listed as OUT for Sunday’s (Mar. 24) game.

G Alonzo Trier – 23 Mar 2019 – Day To Day (Groin) – Trier has been ruled OUT for Sunday’s (Mar 24) game.

F Noah Vonleh – 26 Mar 2019 – Day To Day (Right Ankle) – Vonleh is Questionable for Thursday’s (Mar 27) game.

Head-to-Head: Serge Ibaka (TOR) vs Mitchell Robinson (NYK)

Two big men in the middle and off the bench, Serge Ibaka and Mitchell Robinson look to make an impact for their team when the Raptors and Knicks face off. Ibaka has been his steady self after returning from a three-game suspension while Mitchell Robinson is proving to be the most valuable if unexpected young players on the Knicks roster.

Serge Ibaka

Center | 6-10, 235lb (208cm, 106kg) | Ricoh Manresa/Republic of the Congo | Exp. 9 Years

14.8 PPG | 1.4 APG | 8.0 RPG | 0.4 SPG | 1.4 BPG | 1.5 TOV | .524 FG% | .266 3P%

Whether you call him Serge Ibaka, Samuel Soba, or Mafuzzy Chef, the Toronto Raptors’ bench enforcer is a key piece for this already deep Raptors squad. His ability to convert on the offensive end as well as challenge shots on the defensive end is fantastic. He hasn’t been incredibly productive since his return from suspension, but against expect him to get an extended run off the bench against the inferior Knicks.

Mitchell Robinson

Center | 7-1, 240lb (216cm, 108kg) | Chalmette HS | Rookie

6.7 PPG | 0.6 APG | 5.7 RPG | 0.7 SPG | 2.4 BPG | 0.5 TOV | .682 FG% | – 3P%

Mitchell Robinson has a bit to prove in this match. Since his entanglement with Kyle Lowry in their last meeting, the Raptors point guard branded him a dirty player due to his involvement in the injury of Lowry’s ankle. Regardless, Robinson is sure to bring his blue collar attitude to the court. He has been brilliant as of late, posting five double digit rebounding games in his last ten while accumulating at least two blocks in each of those matches as well. The Raptors are a team that like to attack the rim, so his involvement in the paint will be key to the Knicks’ success.

Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Toronto Raptors favoured over the New York Knicks by 12, with an over/under of 110.