It’s not too often that a game will feature both teams playing the second of a back-to-back, but that’s the case here – the Knicks had to fly to Toronto from New York and the Raptors from Detroit.

The Knicks are unapologetically in full tank mode and on pace to finish with the worst winning percentage in franchise history (17-65, .207 in 2014-15). It’s almost a sure thing that New York finishes with the worst record in the league. Alas, the team with the worst record no longer has the best chance of winning the draft lottery. Now the odds are the same for the three-worst teams.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

It’s the third of four meetings, with Toronto visiting Madison Square Garden again on March 28. To no surprise, the Raptors lead 2-0 and blew out New York 128-112 at Scotiabank Arena on November 10. The Knicks have made several changes since then, so of players who have been in both games this season, rookie Kevin Knox leads New York in scoring vs. Toronto at 16.0 ppg. Another rookie, Mitchell Robinson, is averaging 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks. Kawhi Leonard is averaging just 11.5 points in the two. Kyle Lowry 16.0 points and 6.5 assists.

Toronto has covered the past five at home in the series.

New York Knicks

New York snapped an eight-game losing streak Sunday afternoon with a 124-123 upset of the visiting Lakers. Mario Hezonja, a former No. 5 overall pick in 2015 who was a bust with Orlando, had the most notable moment of his career by blocking LeBron James’ potential game-winning shot with 2.3 seconds remaining. The Knicks were down 11 with just over three minutes remaining.

Emmanuel Mudiay led the Knicks with 28 points; his two free throws with 22 seconds left were the game’s final points. Mudiay got plenty more playing time with starting point guard Dennis Smith Jr. out a second straight game with a lower back injury. Hezonja started for Noah Vonleh (ankle injury). New York has covered four of its past five in the second of a back-to-back.

Toronto Raptors

This will be the last of Serge Ibaka’s three-game suspension for his role in a scuffle last Monday in Cleveland. Ibaka averaged 13.5 and 10.5 rebounds in the two earlier games vs. the Knicks. With this likely a sure win regardless and the second of a back-to-back, might Nick Nurse rest Leonard and/or Lowry? Seems likely that Leonard at a minimum will sit since he played in Sunday’s 110-107 loss in Detroit. He led with 33 points but no other starter had more than 12.

Lowry didn’t play due to an ankle injury. Fred VanVleet returned from thumb surgery and had 17 points in 31 minutes off the bench. Toronto is 10-3 ATS in its past 13 in the second of a back-to-back.

Injuries

New York

Dennis Smith Jr. (PG)

Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 04 / 19

Mario Hezonja (SF)

Prob Wed Illness - 09 / 04 / 19

Lance Thomas (SF)

Prob Wed Personal - 08 / 04 / 19

Emmanuel Mudiay (PG)

out for season Shoulder - 05 / 04 / 19

DeAndre Jordan (C)

Doub Wed Rest - 03 / 04 / 19

Isaiah Hicks (PF)

Prob Tues Hip - 02 / 04 / 19

Dennis Smith Jr. (PG)

Prob Sun Back - 01 / 04 / 19

Frank Ntilikina (PG)

out for season Groin - 24 / 03 / 19

Allonzo Trier (SG)

Out Wed Calf - 20 / 03 / 19

Noah Vonleh (PF)

Out indefinitely Ankle - 15 / 03 / 19

Toronto

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19

Patrick McCaw (SG)

Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19

Pascal Siakam (PF)

Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19

Jeremy Lin (PG)

Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19

Chris Boucher (PF)

Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19

Chris Boucher (PF)

Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19

Serge Ibaka (C)

Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19

Danny Green (SG)

Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19

Patrick McCaw (SG)

Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19

Injuries

New York

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Dennis Smith Jr. (PG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 10 / 04 / 19	1-0	0-1	+ -
Smith Jr. is dealing with a sore left knee but is projected to play against the Pistons on Wednesday.
Mario Hezonja (SF)	Prob Wed	Illness - 09 / 04 / 19	2-0	0-2	+ -
Hezonja was absent from the lineup during the previous game with an illness but the symptoms will subside in time for Wednesday's matchup with the Pistons.
Lance Thomas (SF)	Prob Wed	Personal - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	0-2	+ -
Thomas missed the last game due to a personal matter but is likely to face the Pistons on Wednesday.
Emmanuel Mudiay (PG)	out for season	Shoulder - 05 / 04 / 19	2-2	1-2-1	+ -
Mudiay is sidelined with a sore left shoulder and will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
DeAndre Jordan (C)	Doub Wed	Rest - 03 / 04 / 19	3-2	2-2-1	+ -
Jordan is unlikely to play against the Magic on Wednesday as he is expected to receive a day of rest.
Isaiah Hicks (PF)	Prob Tues	Hip - 02 / 04 / 19	3-2	2-2-1	+ -
Hicks has sat out the previous three games with a sore left hip but is likely to draw back into the lineup against the Bulls on Tuesday.
Dennis Smith Jr. (PG)	Prob Sun	Back - 01 / 04 / 19	3-3	2-3-1	+ -
Smith Jr. has been sidelined soreness in his lower back but is expected to suit up against the Wizards on Sunday.
Frank Ntilikina (PG)	out for season	Groin - 24 / 03 / 19	3-6	3-5-1	+ -
Ntilikina will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season due to a sore groin.
Allonzo Trier (SG)	Out Wed	Calf - 20 / 03 / 19	3-8	5-5-1	+ -
Trier sustained a strained left calf and will not return Wednesday against the Pistons.
Noah Vonleh (PF)	Out indefinitely	Ankle - 15 / 03 / 19	5-9	6-7-1	+ -
Vonleh will miss an undetermined length of time due to a sprained right ankle and a right foot contusion.

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Prob Mon	Face - 08 / 06 / 19	2-0	1-2	+ -
VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Patrick McCaw (SG)	Prob Thurs	Personal - 15 / 05 / 19	7-4	6-6	+ -
McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Pascal Siakam (PF)	Prob Sun	Calf - 04 / 05 / 19	9-6	8-8	+ -
Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion.
Jeremy Lin (PG)	Prob Tues	Back - 02 / 05 / 19	9-7	8-9	+ -
Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Chris Boucher (PF)	Prob Wed	Back - 01 / 05 / 19	9-7	8-9	+ -
Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks.
Chris Boucher (PF)	Ques Mon	Back - 18 / 04 / 19	13-8	9-13	+ -
Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers.
Serge Ibaka (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 09 / 04 / 19	15-9	10-15	+ -
Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19	15-10	10-15-1	+ -
Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Danny Green (SG)	Prob Wed	Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19	18-10	12-16-1	+ -
Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday.
Patrick McCaw (SG)	Prob Fri	Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19	19-10	12-17-1	+ -
McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.

Knicks vs. Raptors Prediction