Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks Prediction, NBA Odds
The Toronto Raptors can clinch a playoff spot for the first time in four years when they visit the arch-rival New York Knicks on Friday night betting action at Madison Square Garden.
The Raptors are coming off a two-game sweep of the Miami Heat, capped by Thursday’s 128-114 victory at Scotiabank Arena, and now enter the final weekend of the NBA regular season deadlocked with Atlanta for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks have remained in the hunt for second place in the East while winning four straight, capped by Thursday’s 112-106 win over Boston, which also marked the club’s sixth straight win on home hardwood at MSG.
The Raptors arrive in the Big Apple for their penultimate game of the season trailing as 5.5-point underdogs on Friday’s NBA odds and are a +200 moneyline bet to claim the outright victory. The total is pegged at 219.5.
Raptors vs. Knicks NBA Betting Odds
The Raptors are coming off back-to-back decisive victories over Miami that leave them in control of their playoff destiny. However, the club still faces a daunting task on Friday night.
In addition to stringing together three wins just once since January 25, the Raptors have also lost 12 straight to the Knicks since January 2023, including five straight at MSG, where they dropped a 116-94 decision when they visited on November 30.
Toronto has fallen to defeat by double-digit margins in each of their four previous dates with the Knicks this season, and have scored just 99.5 points per game over their past six dates with New York.
Accordingly, the UNDER has paid out in each of the past four clashes between these squads, and in seven of their past 10. However, it is the Raptors that have played stingy defence of late, surrendering just 105.5 points per game over their past four and limiting opponents to under 100 points in three of their past seven outings.
The Knicks have also slammed the door, giving up an average of just 106.5 points while winning four straight, but have struggled to consistently put up big points, topping 112 points just twice in their past seven. However, they have covered in three straight and have gone 6-2 ATS in their past eight home dates.
Toronto Raptors
With the Raptors poised to reclaim a share of fifth place in the East, Brandon Ingram rose to the occasion in Thursday’s date with the Heat, leading the team with a season-high 38 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists. Overall, Ingram racked up 30.5 points per game in the team’s consecutive wins over Miami this week after tallying just 14.2 points per game over his previous nine outings.
Immanuel Quickley took on more responsibility in his second game after missing eight contests with a foot injury. Quickley contributed 11 points including a trio of threes, along with four helpers and three boards, while seeing his playing time increase to 23 minutes. While it may be too soon to get behind Quickly on the NBA player props, his presence changes the dynamic of the club’s offence, both as a playmaker and as a three-point threat.
Scottie Barnes’ resent woes resurfaced on Thursday. After tallying 25 points and eight boards in Tuesday’s 121-95 rout, Barnes mustered just 13 points and four rebounds in Thursday’s rematch, and has now scored 15+ points in just one of his past six appearances.
New York Knicks
While not in control of their playoff destiny, the Knicks remain in the hunt for second place in the East with Thursday’s win over the Celtics, and will have plenty to play for on Friday night.
Veteran Josh Hart powered the Knicks attack on Thursday night with his second highest scoring outing od the campaign, dropping 26 points after averaging just 10.5 points in his previous eight games.
Karl-Anthony Towns remained a force in the paint with a team-high 12 rebounds along with 16 points, and has now recorded 15 double-doubles and one triple-double over his past 19 games, making him worth including in a Same-Game Parlay as a -277 wager to record yet another double-double on Friday.
TOR
NY