It will be a matchup of two teams headed in opposite directions when the Toronto Raptors (48-17) and New York Knicks (24-42) square off at Madison Square Garden. The Raptors have won seven games in a row, while the Knicks are on a six-game skid. The game can be seen on CTV Sportsnet Toronto at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 11, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 218 points with Toronto set as a 9.5-point favorite.
Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks Free Prediction
In the Raptors’ last contest, they beat the Houston Rockets, 108-105. Toronto’s rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Raptors had more offensive rebounds (12 vs. seven), defensive rebounds (30 vs. 29) and total rebounds (42 vs. 36). Toronto received a boost from Kyle Lowry, who was the team’s high scorer with 30 points on 10-for-14 shooting.
The Knicks were beaten by the Milwaukee Bucks in their last outing, 120-112. Getting to the free throw line was one of Milwaukee’s largest strengths. They had 39 free throw attempts, while New York had just 14. With 26 points on 10-for-20 shooting, Tim Hardaway Jr. was New York’s high scorer.
New York might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they go head-to-head against one of the NBA’s best defenses. Toronto currently ranks fourth in defensive efficiency while the Knicks rank 25th in offensive efficiency. Also, the Raptors rank fourth in turnover percentage (12.6 percent), while the Knicks rank 23rd in opponents’ turnover percentage (13.3 percent).
Toronto comes into the contest with records of 48-17 straight up (SU) and 37-28 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Raptors’ games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, New York owns records of 24-42 SU and 30-36 ATS. Coinciding with Toronto, just over half of Knicks games have finished over the total.
The Raptors lead the season series against the Knicks two games to one, including a decisive 113-88 victory in their last matchup. Toronto covered as a 14-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 201 points, which was 12.5 points below the projected point total of 213.5 points. The Raptors had a much better turnover percentage (7.3 vs. 14.2) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (19.1 vs. 10.4). Despite the loss, Michael Beasley was the game’s leading scorer with 21 points.
Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks ATS Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Toronto is 18-14 ATS with 18 overs and 14 unders.
New York is 16-14 ATS at home with 15 overs and 15 unders.
In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Toronto is 23-5 and New York is 11-3.
When reaching the century mark, the Raptors are 45-10 and the Knicks are 23-22.
Toronto ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (32.9) while New York ranks last (22.3).
The Raptors rank seventh in steals per game (8.2) while the Knicks rank 29th (6.8).
Toronto ranks eighth in fast break points per game (13.8) while New York ranks 29th (8.0).
The Raptors rank third in points off turnovers per game (18.3) while the Knicks rank 23rd in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.5).
New York ranks fifth in second chance points per game (13.6) while Toronto ranks 25th in second chance points allowed per game (13.2).
The Raptors rank second in blocks per game (6.0) while the Knicks rank 14th in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
Toronto averages 23.8 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the league. New York ranks 19th in assists allowed per game (23.7).
The Knicks rank seventh in points in the paint per game (46.7) while the Raptors rank 17th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.2).
New York averages 44.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 12th in the NBA. Toronto ranks 16th in rebounds allowed per game (42.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Toronto is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
New York is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.6, down from 8.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 102.8 points per game (1.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 117.2 points per game (9.9 above their season average).
*****
