It feels a little like beating a dead horse at this point but it’s got to be said. Without Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and RJ Barrett, the Toronto Raptors are bad. Like, worst team in the NBA bad.
They enter tonight’s game against the New York Knicks losers of 11 games in a row and the NBA odds have them as massive home underdogs.
Does Toronto have any chance of keeping this Atlantic Division matchup close? I break it all down and bring you the best bet in my NBA picks for the Knicks vs. Raptors.
Knicks vs Raptors predictions
My best bet: Raptors first-half team total Under 50.5 (-115 at PointsBet)
I don’t even know how to say this anymore other than the Toronto Raptors in their current state aren’t good at, well, anything.
I’ve harped on them for months that despite being fun to watch with the ball in their hands, the other end of the floor has been a problem — holding the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA since January 1.
But that’s not all. Ever since Scottie Barnes got hurt the offense has fallen off a cliff, and with Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett sidelined due to personal reasons the last several games, that has compounded.
Toronto ranks dead last in offensive rating and 26th in effective field goal percentage in March, but the last seven games have been particularly bad. It's averaging just 98.9 points per game over that period — all losses obviously — and it's been been held to 104 points or fewer six times.
So, has our run of cashing Raptors team total Under bets come to an end? Well, sportsbooks have caught on their team total for tonight's game against the New York Knicks is a rock-bottom 98.5. We may have to get creative with our fade of the Raps here.
The Knicks will once again be without former Rap O,G. Anunoby as he continues to deal with an elbow injury, and while they're clearly not as great defensively without him, they’ve been just fine beating up on Eastern Conference bottom feeders.
New York is coming off back-to-back wins over the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets, holding both below 100 points. In fact, the Knicks have held opponents below the century mark in seven of their last nine games and are doing an excellent job of forcing opponents into slow starts.
New York is allowing an NBA-low 46.9 first-half points per game over that stretch and Toronto has scored 48 first-half points or fewer in five of its last six. It's first-half team total is sitting at 50.5 so you know what to do.
Knicks vs Raptors same-game parlay
Raptors first-half Under 50.5
Donte DiVincenzo 4+ assists
DiVincenzo Over 1.5 steals
A potential blowout might scare you off some Knicks player props with the idea being New York’s starters get pulled with several minutes or even a whole quarter to go.
But let me tell you this: Tom Thibodeau DGAF... at least in Donte DiVincenzo’s case. Thibs has played DiVincenzo 40+ minutes in the Knicks' last two games with both being comfortable wins. Donte is our guy, but his threes prop is too jacked up for this matchup.
Instead I'm taking his alternate assists of four, a mark he's hit in six of his last 11 games. The Raptors allow the fifth most opponent assists per possession in the NBA. DiVincenzo also has multiple steals in 12 of his last 17 games and the Raps have the second-worst turnover rate over their last seven.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Knicks vs Raptors odds and trends
Knicks vs Raptors opening odds
- Spread: New York -13 | Toronto +13
- Moneyline: New York -900 | Toronto +600
- Over/Under: Over 210 | Under 210
Knicks vs Raptors spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors opened this Atlantic Division matchup as big 13-point home underdogs but that hasn't stopped bettors from taking the Knicks with the line currently at Toronto +13.5.
- The Raptors have covered the spread just three times in their last 14 games, which includes the last three in a row as double-digit underdogs.
- The total opened at a very low 210 and the early money has come in on the Over, bumping the number up to 212.5.
- The Raptors' terrible offense has helped cash the Under in seven consecutive games.
Knicks vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors have hit the game total Under in 18 of their last 23 games at home for +12.50 Units and a 49% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Raptors.
Bet on Raptors basketball at PointsBet Canada
Looking to bet on some Raptors action? Join PointsBet, one of Canada’s favourite books for new bettors!
Knicks vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 27, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN, MSG |
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
