Just three weeks after a blockbuster trade that changed the direction of both franchises, the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks face off at Madison Square Garden tonight.
The Knicks have surged up the Eastern Conference standings since acquiring O.G. Anunoby while the Raps are 12th and in the middle of a rebuild.
NBA odds have the Knicks installed as 7-point home favorites for this showdown with the Over/Under at 228. Here are my best free NBA picks and predictions for Raptors vs. Knicks on Saturday, January 20.
Raptors vs Knicks odds
Raptors vs Knicks predictions
The New York Knicks have gone 8-2 with a net rating of +12.4 after trading for O.G. Anunoby. The Toronto Raptors also looked good immediately following the trade but have since lost five of their last six games.
While Anunoby is an efficient offensive player who averages 15.1 points per game, his biggest impact has come on the defensive side of the floor. The Knicks were just 20th in the NBA with a defensive rating of 115.5 before the trade but are second in the league with a defensive rating of 104.1 since. Meanwhile, the Raps defensive efficiency has dipped from 115.2 to 120.1 after jettisoning Anunoby.
Toronto's offense did have an immediate uptick after adding R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley in the Anunoby trade but that could quickly fade since they traded away two-time All-Star and leading scorer Pascal Siakam this week.
The Raptors team total is sitting at 110.5 and the Knicks have held nine of 10 opponents below that number while allowing just 101.0 ppg since the Anunoby trade. The only team that dropped more than 110 points on them during that span was the high-octane Mavericks at home. The Raptors are far less efficient in the half-court and will be playing on the road.
With the Knicks locking things down on defense and playing at one of the slowest tempos in the league, take the Under on Toronto's team total.
My best bet: Raptors team total Under 110.5 (-110 at PointsBet)
Raptors vs Knicks same-game parlay
Raptors team total Under 110.5
Julius Randle Under 9.5 rebounds
Scottie Barnes Over 2.5 turnovers
Julius Randle has been playing very well but his rebounding has dropped off this month. He has pulled down at least 10 boards in just one of his last 10 games and is averaging 7.5 rebounds per game during that span. A big reason for that is that new starting center Isaiah Hartenstein has emerged as an elite rebounder (14.3 rpg in the last 10 games) which means there are fewer rebounds for Randle.
Scottie Barnes tried to put the team on his back in Toronto's loss on Thursday night, scoring 31 points with six assists, seven rebounds, three steals and three blocks. However, he also filled up the stat sheet in another column, turning the ball over a whopping six times.
Barnes also had five turnovers the previous night in Toronto's first game since trading away Siakam, and he has now had at least three turnovers in four straight games. Barnes is a stud but with Siakam gone his usage rate will tick up and he'll be more prone to make mistakes as he'll be forced to try to carry the offense at times.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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!
Raptors vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis
The spread opened with the Knicks installed as 7.5-point home favorites with the Over/Under at 228. As of noon ET, the spread hasn't moved but the total ticked down to 227 before buyback on the Over saw it climb to 229.
This is the third game in four nights for both teams with the Raptors coming off a 116-110 loss to the Bulls on Thursday. They've thrived in transition leading the league in fastbreak points per game (17.9) while allowing just 13.2. However, they've struggled to create offense in the half-court and that could be an even bigger issue without Siakam.
The Knicks are fresh off a 113-109 victory against the Wizards on Thursday and this will be their fourth consecutive game at home. The Knicks lead the league in rebound rate and while they lost center Mitchell Robinson to a long-term injury, Hartenstein has been an excellent replacement.
The Raps have also been without their starting center Jakob Poeltl due to an injury but they've had a tougher time replacing him with Chris Boucher and Jontay Porter struggling to fill his shoes.
Raptors vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Under has gone 9-1 in the last 10 games for the Knicks. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptorsvs. [teamnaverme2].
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
Raptors vs Knicks game info
| Location: | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date: | Saturday, January 20, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN, MSG |
Raptors vs Knicks latest injuries
Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the 
to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
