New York Knicks - Toronto Raptors predictions and free betting tips [21/01/2024]

On Sunday morning, Toronto Raptors will pay a visit to New York Knicks at the magnificent Madison Square Garden.

New York Knicks

Knicks are in commendable form, clinching 8 victories out of their last 10 matches, and aiming for their third consecutive victory after a recent success over Washington Wizards with a score of 113:109. In this encounter, Jalen Brunson made a notable contribution, scoring 41 points, while Julius Randle and newbie OG Anunoby also stood out, adding 21 and 19 points respectively.

The Knicks delivered a confident display, executing 45 percent of their shots from the game, although they struggled to break away from the Wizards, and required an impressive 40-point surge in the last quarter to secure victory. The Knicks are experiencing a period of significant changes following the trade of Rodions Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to Toronto Raptors. This exchange has sparked much discussion among experts and fans as to whether it could be the game-changer in transforming the Knicks into a serious contender for the NBA championship.

The first outcomes of this trade deal are already exhibiting their effectiveness: New York Knicks are showing splendid gameplay, especially due to Anunoby, whose offensive and defensive play has earned high praise. His contribution to the team has already been termed as the perfect trade which could greatly enhance Coach Thibodeau's team's performance both in offence and defence.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are not only experiencing a slump in their recent matches, losing 5 out of 6 games, including their recent defeat by Chicago Bulls with a score of 110:116, but also seeing significant changes in their squad. Scottie Barnes put on a stellar performance, scoring 31 points along with 7 rebounds and 6 assists, while RJ Barrett and traded-in from Indiana Bruce Brown made their mark, adding 17 and 15 points respectively. The Raptors showed good offensive stats, scoring 50 percent of points from the game, but their efforts weren't enough to claim victory, yielding in the end to the Bulls.

Following the trade with New York, Raptors welcomed Barrett and Quickley into their ranks. These roster changes are deemed strategically advantageous, set to boost the team's competitiveness within the league. Spending more time on the court, Quickley is showing impressive results, averaging 18 points per game. Barrett, being a Toronto native, also demonstrates improved performance, especially in offensive play and long-shot attempts. Both players expressed positive emotions regarding the trade, emphasizing that despite the difficulties of leaving Knicks, they look forward to new opportunities within the Raptors.

However, the paramount loss came with the departure of Pascal Siakam to Indiana for Bruce Brown, draft picks, and other less crucial players. These roster changes might prove to be critically important for Toronto, particularly given their current troubles.

Predictions for New York Knicks - Toronto Raptors match

Throughout this season, the Raptors team has been struggling to achieve stability, and the departure of Pascal Siakam, a leader of recent years, might result in substantial restructuring. Despite this, in the recent match against Chicago Bulls, they demonstrated commendable gameplay, despite suffering a defeat. In this match, Bruce Brown, in his new team, scored 15 points. On the flip side, New York Knicks are approaching the forthcoming match in more dominant form, notwithstanding their last victory over Wizards was not as decisive. Thibodeau's team appears to be on a more confident footing, especially at home.