The Toronto Raptors visit Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks. The game has no implications for the Knicks, but does for the Raptors’ quest for first.
The Raptors took down the Indiana Pacers, a playoff combatant, with relative ease this past Friday. While DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry rested, the rookies took over the game. Norman Powell and Delon Wright scored 27 and 19 points respectively, career highs for each. Backup point guard Cory Joseph led the charge over a desperate team. The Knicks have nothing to play for, so can’t be that scary – can they?
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The Knicks have been generating a lot of news(?) lately. Phil Jackson has said he will advocate for Kurt Rambis to become the permanent head coach, while there are whispers that Masai Ujiri will take over for Jackson when his contract is up. Too much noise from a perennial loser. What else is there? Not much. This has been another lost season for weary New York fans. The only positive was the emergence of Kristaps Porzingis as a diamond in the rough. The giant Latvian looks to be the franchise player for the foreseeable future.
Expect a full cast of Raptors in this game. The starters will be intact; they and the rookie-enhanced rotation should be able to take this game easily if…
- …the Knicks are limited under 100. They have scored more than 100 33 times this season, and are 25-8 in such games. New York’s weapons are limited to Carmelo Anthony and hope, so aggressive, ball-hawking defense can do the trick.
- …they don’t let Porzingis go off. He has the skill to take over a game and he has on occasion this season. In his rookie year, he is averaging more than 14 ppg, 7 rpg and nearly 2 bpg. His shooting range extends beyond the 3-point arc, so Raptors big men must be mobile.
- …the Raptors lead after 3 quarters. The Knicks are 26-8 when leading after 3.
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The point is to take this game with a full business-like approach, as a Raptors win has meaning. The draft implications are minimal. The Raptors receive the less favourable first-rounder of the Knicks or the Denver Nuggets, but those two teams may end up with the same record! However, Cleveland lost to the Chicago Bulls (why can’t somebody put that team away?) last night, so Toronto still has a mathematical shot at first place. They need to win their last 3 games, starting with this one, and hope that Cleveland continues to stumble.
Raptors win 112-99, and keep the faint embers burning.
Greame Klayh is a Staff Writer for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.