Free NBA Pick: Knicks vs. Raptors NBA Odds
Looking for New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Knicks taking on the Raptors on Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 at Scotiabank Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Knicks Raptors matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(17-19) New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors (15-17)
Date: Sunday, January 2nd
Time: 3:30 PM EST
Venue: Bankers Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
NBA Moneyline Odds: Knicks +254 | Raptors -275 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Raptors -7
NBA Betting Total: OFF
Sunday, January 2nd the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors meet for the third time this season. The two prior games were won by Toronto on November 1st (113-104) and December 10th (90-87). The squads will complete their season series in New York on April 10th.
Both teams played on Friday with the shorthanded Knicks losing 80-95 to the Thunder while the Raptors defeated the Clippers 116-108.
New York Knicks
As the Knicks begin the New Year, there is ample work to be done on both ends of the court. Regardless of any tweaks head coach Tom Thibodeau has in mind he may need to wait to see them come to fruition.
That’s because his best player (Julius Randle) and both big men are sidelined in the NBA health and safety protocols. The club did make a jump in the last week climbing from 23rd to 18th in defensive rating.
Unfortunately, that was balanced by their offensive rating dropping from 17th to 22nd (108.1) equating to a net differential of minus 1.1 (21st rank).
The loss in OKC reflected those changes as they held the Thunder under 100 points but scored only 80 themselves. RJ Barrett led his team with 26 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Immanuel Quickley (11) was the only other Knick to reach double-digits.
The Knicks have four players in protocols but three of that quartet are integral to Tom Thibodeau’s lineups. The quartet includes Julius Randle, Jericho Sims, Nerlens Noel, and Mitchell Robinson. Only Robinson is definitely out while the others are questionable for Sunday.
The big question is whether Kemba Walker will play as he was a late scratch in OKC following warm-ups and is listed as questionable again. Likewise, Danuel House Jr. (finger) is questionable while Derrick Rose (ankle surgery) is out indefinitely.
Toronto Raptors
In contrast to the Knicks, the Raptors begin the New Year at the healthiest they’ve been all season. That equated to the Raptors core trio playing in the same game for only the fourth time this season and each delivered.
Pascal Siakam registered a double-double of 25 points and 19 rebounds plus seven assists, two steals, and two blocks. Fred VanVleet led scoring with 31 points plus nine assists while OG Anunoby registered 26 points, six rebounds, and four steals.
The only core player missing in the Clippers match was rookie Scottie Barnes who is expected to play on Sunday with high expectations for his placement alongside Siakam and Anunoby.
Losing to the Cavaliers (99-144) with only four regular players available is skewing the Raptors defensive rating (21st) which is much closer to a top 10 or top 5 defense.
Toronto has two players in protocols with Isaac Bonga probable while DJ Wilson (COVID) is downgraded to out. David Johnson (calf) is out as is Goran Dragic (personal).
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Knicks are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games.
- The Raptors are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York’s last 6 games
- T.he total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto’s last 6 games.
Free New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Prediction:
Mitchell Robinson posed problems for the Raptors in prior games especially with their own bigs sidelined but with the situation reversed it should equate to an easy victory for Toronto.
Despite the genuine rivalry between these clubs without Randle, Noel, Robinson, Rose, and potentially Walker it’s hard to envision the Knicks having enough offense to keep the score closer than seven points.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors +7
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