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Preview: Raptors Meet Knicks At MSG For Afternoon Showdown

By Gavin Axelrod

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 22: Tim Hardaway Jr.
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 22: Tim Hardaway Jr. /
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After putting an end to Houston’s 17 game winning streak, the Toronto Raptors are back in action Sunday afternoon against the New York Knicks.

The Toronto Raptors are back in action Sunday afternoon when they take on the New York Knicks. This will mark the fourth and final time that the Raptors will play the Knicks this year. In their most recent meeting, Toronto defeated New York by a score of 113-88.

It has been a gruelling couple of games for the Raptors. This past Wednesday saw the team defeat the Pistons in an overtime thriller. Friday evening was another test for Toronto, narrowly escaping with a massive win over Houston.

After two tightly contested games, Sunday’s matinee will provide the Raptors with a large mental challenge. Will the team be able to overcome the early start time? The numbers are certainly in their favour. Toronto is 5-2 in games starting at 3:30 EST or earlier.

Tale Of The Tape

It has been another disappointing year for the New York Knicks. Kristaps Porzingis tore his ACL  in February, and the team currently sits 11th in the Eastern Conference. Despite their struggles the Knicks have had a few bright spots.

Michael Beasley has proved that he still belongs in the NBA. The former second-overall pick is averaging a modest 12.7 points per game. At 29-years of age Beasley may not be a player the Knicks can revolve their future around however, he has carved out a nice niche in their rotation.  Beasley scored 21 points in Toronto’s last meeting with New York.

TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 8: Michael Beasley
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 8: Michael Beasley /

New York’s big man Enes Kanter is having a career best season. Kanter is averaging a double-dobule per game, with 17  points and 10 rebounds per contest. In the wake of Porzingis’ injury Kanter has thrived in his increased role. The 25-year old has played in all 62 of the Knicks’ games this year.

Another member of the Knicks having a career best season is Tim Hardaway Jr. The 25-year old is averaging a career high 17 points per game at a 41% clip. In November’s matchup between these two teams, Hardaway scored an impressive 38 points.

Speaking of personal bests, DeMar DeRozan is continuing to take the NBA by storm. The 28-year old scored a whopping 42 points against the Pistons on Wednesday. DeRozan followed up his big night in Detroit with 23 points in the Raptors victory Friday night.

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 9: Kyle Lowry
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 9: Kyle Lowry /

Kyle Lowry is coming off one of his best games of the season. In Toronto’s victory over Houston he scored a team high 30 points. The NBA’s leader in charges taken was also 7-9 from beyond the arc. Lowry scored 25 points when the Raptors played the Knicks on November 22nd.

Keys To Victory

NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 22: the Toronto Raptors huddle before the game against the New York Knicks on November 22, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.  Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 22: the Toronto Raptors huddle before the game against the New York Knicks on November 22, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.  Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Get off to a hot start. Toronto is coming off of two very demanding games. Overcoming the fatigue and sluggishness that comes with an early tip-off should be priority number one for the Raptors. Starting Sunday’s matchup hot will provide the team with an extra boost of energy.

Dictate the pace. Controlling the pace of this contest will be another priority for Toronto. They can out run the Knicks in transition or, slow things down to their liking. If the Raptors do not assert their dominance early this game could slip away from them.

Shoot the three. New York ranks 26th in the NBA in opponent three point field goal percentage. Taking advantage of the Knicks’ poor defense from beyond the arc could make Sunday’s game a lot easier for the Raptors. Toronto shot 39.5% from three point range against Houston.

Defensive intensity. The Raptors scored 26 points off of turnovers on Friday. If Toronto can bring this same defensive intensity on Sunday, they will prove to be too much for the Knicks. Fred VanVleet has preformed very well in full-court pressure situations as of late.

Prediction

After putting an end to Houston’s 17 game winning streak, the Raptors come into Sunday’s game with all the momentum in the world. Toronto is currently riding a seven game winning streak of their own. If Toronto is able to control the game from opening tip and knock down open threes, they should have no trouble defeating the Knicks.

Final Score: Raptors 114 Knicks 90

Tip Off: 1:00 PM EST

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