Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 1/16/2023

Time: 3 p.m. ET

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Where to watch: MSG, TSN

DraftKings: Knicks -3

FanDuel: Knicks -3

BetMGM: Knicks -3.5

Caesars: NL

Raptors: 19-24

Knicks: 24-19

Raptors: lost 114-103 vs. Hawks

Knicks: won 117-104 at Pistons

The New York Knicks are running as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, and they’ll look to go for another win when they face the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden on Monday.

 

The Knicks are going for their eighth win in nine games and playing the second night of a back-to-back. New York is coming off a 117-104 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday on a night where Julius Randle erupted for 42 points and 15 rebounds in 40 minutes of action. Jalen Brunson added 27 points and four assists to boost his All-Star candidacy, as well.

 

This run by the Knicks has pushed them to the sixth seed in the East with plenty of room to grow. They’re two games back of the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers for fourth and fifth, respectively.

 

“I’m not sure it has anything to with Detroit,” he said. “I feel like I can get my shot away against any team."

 

Randle is playing like it, averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds this year while playing in all 43 games. If he’s not an All-Star by this time next week, it’s going to be a crime. Brunson, as well. The free agent acquisition is averaging 22 points and almost 7 assists per game. The Knicks, on their 7-1 run straight up, have also rallied to go 6-2 against the spread in those eight while being favored in the last four.

 

The Raptors are in the midst of an inconsistent season, knowing they’re playing much better than what they’ve produced so far at 19-24 this season. Their three-game winning streak ended on Saturday with a 114-103 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in which the Raptors were favored by 7.5 against the banged-up Hawks.

 

Trae Young had 29 points on 9 of 17 shooting, and Dejounte Murray had another strong all-around game with 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists in a game that was dominated by the Atlanta frontcourt. That offset a strong 27-point, 12-rebound effort from Scottie Barnes while Atlanta neutralized Pascal Siakam (15 points on 5 of 16).

 

“We’ve got a long way to go with some consistency,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.

 

Toronto has been stride-for-stride in terms of on-court vs. against the spread during this run of 10 games, going 4-6 in both. Of course, this is a Toronto team that has been so strong over the past few years. It’s beyond weird to see this group struggle as much as it has.

 

The Knicks will benefit greatly from going back homeafter a quick two-game road trip, even if it’s a back-to-back. New York is 6-1 ATS in its last seven Monday games while the under has cashed in five of the last six Monday games. The Knicks are just the better team right now, which isn’t something I expected to say this early in 2023. Knicks 112, Raptors 100

Raptors are 20-24 ATS against division opponents the last three seasons.

Raptors are 9-12 ATS this season after a game they failed to cover.

Knicks are 45-23 ATS when the line is +3 and -3 the last 3 seasons.

PG: Fred VanVleet

SG: Gary Trent Jr.

SF: O.G. Anunoby

PF: Scottie Barnes

C: Pascal Siakam

PG: Jalen Brunson

SG: Quentin Grimes

SF: RJ Barrett

PF: Julius Randle

C: Mitchell Robinson

Injury report

Raptors: None

Knicks: None

Points: Pascal Siakam – 25.7

Rebounds: Pascal Siakam – 8.2

Assists: Pascal Siakam – 6.4

Points: Julius Randle – 24.1

Rebounds: Julius Randle – 10.4

Assists: Jalen Brunson – 6.5