Game Preview
The Toronto Raptors (7-17) host the New York Knicks (14-9) in an intriguing matchup on Monday night. The Raptors are mired in a tough stretch, having dropped two straight and 14 of their last 20 games to fall well below .500 on the season. Their offense has sputtered, averaging just 112.5 points while allowing a concerning 117.4 points against.
However, the Raptors have shown signs of life over their last 10 games, going 5-5 while scoring 112.9 points per contest on a solid 48.2 percent shooting. They've also tightened up defensively, surrendering just 114.3 points during this stretch. Rebounding remains a strength, grabbing nearly 47 boards per game over the last 10 outings.
In contrast, the Knicks roll into town playing their best basketball of the season. New York owns a stellar 14-9 record, fueled by an explosive offense averaging 123.4 points per game. They're shooting a blistering 50.1 percent from the field and an even more impressive 39.4 percent from deep. The Knicks have been particularly dominant of late, winning 7 of their last 10 and averaging a shade below 134 points over that span.
While the Raptors have struggled to slow opponents, grabbing nearly 46 rebounds and forcing over 15 turnovers per game, they'll need to be at their defensive best to contain this red-hot Knicks squad. New York's balanced attack features five players averaging double-digit points, led by RJ Barrett's 22.5 per game. The Knicks are also crashing the boards for 44 rebounds and dishing out 29 assists per contest.
With both teams firing on different cylinders, this matchup has the makings of a high-scoring affair. The Raptors will need to slow the pace and make life difficult for New York's sharpshooters to pull off the home upset. Recent form favors the surging Knicks, but strange things can happen when divisional foes clash. Buckle up for an entertaining battle between two teams heading in opposite directions.