The Toronto Raptors head into Madison Square Garden on Friday night trying to solidify their playoff positioning, while the New York Knicks continue to build on a strong season that has them near the top of the Eastern Conference. Both teams are on the second nights of back-to-backs here after getting wins at home on Thursday. Who will come out on top here? Continue reading to get my Raptors vs Knicks prediction in the NBA.
Raptors vs Knicks Pick
- Pick: Raptors +6.5
- Confidence: 3.5 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Toronto Raptors @ New York Knicks
- Date & Time: Friday, April 10, 7:30 PM ET
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
New York enters this game as one of the hottest teams in the conference, riding a four-game winning streak and coming off a significant victory over the Boston Celtics in their most recent outing. Their offense has been efficient and their defense continues to limit opponents to just over 110 points per game. At home, the Knicks have been especially strong, posting one of the best home records in the league at 29-9.
Toronto, however, remains firmly in the playoff mix and is trying to hold off the Atlanta Hawks for fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Raptors recently delivered a convincing win over the Miami Heat in which they shot over 52% from the field, highlighting their offensive upside. Their ability to keep pace with higher-scoring teams will be tested against a tough Knicks defense.
Key Players
New York Knicks
- Jalen Brunson leads the offense with 26 points and 6.9 assists per game. His ability to control tempo and create shots makes him the engine of this team.
- Karl-Anthony Towns anchors the interior with 11.9 rebounds per game and provides scoring versatility that stretches opposing defenses.
- OG Anunoby adds two-way impact, shooting over 50% from three-point range early in the month of April.
Toronto Raptors
- Brandon Ingram leads the team with 21.5 points per game and remains the primary scoring option, capable of carrying the offense for stretches.
- Scottie Barnes contributes across the board with 18.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and over 5 assists per game, making him a key playmaker.
- Immanuel Quickley averages 5.9 assists and provides perimeter scoring, and he will try to make an impact against his former team in this matchup.
Stat Comparison
| Stat | Raptors | Knicks |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 114.4 | 116.8 |
| Points allowed per game | 111.9 | 110.3 |
| Team Field Goal % | 48% | 48% |
| Rebounds per game | 42.2 | 46.0 |
| Assists per game | 29.5 | 27.5 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- The Knicks are 4-0 against the Raptors so far this season, entering this final game of their regular-season series.
- Toronto is 41-39 against the spread this season.
- The Knicks are 42-39 against the spread for the year.
Raptors vs Knicks Model Projection
- Score Projection: Raptors 113 – Knicks 112
- Win Probability: Raptors 52%, Knicks 48%
Under normal circumstances, the Knicks would have the upper hand against the Raptors once again. But these are not normal circumstances. The Knicks are basically locked into third place in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Raptors are trying to protect their place with teams like the Hawks and Magic close behind them. I expect the Raptors to keep this game close and cover the spread, and potentially win outright with that huge situational edge in mind.
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