WATCH NBA LIVE! New York Knicks @ Toronto Raptors - free streamWith a friendly tip-off time of 8. 30pm, the New York Knicks face the Toronto Raptors on Sunday in a match-up between the teams sitting 10th and 11th in Western Conference. R. J. Barrett and the Knicks take on Pascal Siakam and the Raptors in a clash that could have implications for the lower end of the Eastern Conference seedings race on Sunday. The host Raptors (15-17) have gone 10-11 against Eastern Conference opponents this season but took full advantage of their key players returning from Covid protocols in their last outing as they defeated the short-handed LA Clippers 116-108.
With the record now a sterling 5-0 under Mike Woodson and Jeremy Lin very clearly not relinquishing his starting gig anytime soon, there hasn't been a lot of talk about Amar'e Stoudemire. However, Stoudemire made some waves on Wednesday with an emphatic performance of 21 points and nine rebounds, and fans finally saw some of the old explosiveness he's been lacking all season. Woodson was concerned that he might suffer his first loss as head coach of the Knicks against the Sixers on Friday before ultimately coming away with the victory (via Dan Gelston, AP).
The Raptors will fancy their chances against a Knicks side that will be missing its star man in Julius Randle as well as Derrick Rose, Kemba Walker and Immanuel Quickley. The Knicks (17-19) have won five of their last eight games though and are looking to get back to the form which got them back in the playoffs last year. Last time the teams played:This is the third meeting between the two teams this season. The Raptors won 90-87 in the last matchup on December 11. Gary Trent Jr. led the Raptors with 24 points, and Obi Toppin led the Knicks with 19 points. Top performers:Raptors: Fred VanVleet is scoring 19. 4 points per game and averaging 4. 9 rebounds for the Raptors. Pascal Siakam is averaging 22.
“I was sweating a little bit tonight, ” interim coach Mike Woodson said. “But I learned that my team is not going to buckle, and I honestly believe that they believe they can win any game that they play now. ”Chris Chambers/Getty ImagesMost Important Player to Watch: Carmelo AnthonyAnthony has been a happy camper with the Knicks winning five straight games, but he hasn't topped 17 points at any point during that span. He is struggling with his shot and has only hit 10 of his last 30 attempts from the field, and if the Knicks are to sustain success, Anthony will have to be a whole lot better moving forward. It will be very intriguing to see if Anthony can get back on track against the Raptors, a team against which he had 17 points and eight rebounds earlier this week.
6 points and 9. 5 rebounds over the last 10 games for Toronto. Knicks: Julius Randle is averaging 19. 3 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Knicks – but is unavailable. Alec Burks is averaging 13. 9 points over the last 10 games for New York. Last 10 games:Raptors: 6-4, averaging 109. 4 points, 45. 6 rebounds, 24. 0 assists, 8. 3 steals and 4. 9 blocks per game while shooting 44. 4 per cent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107. 8 points per game. Knicks: 5-5, averaging 100. 9 points, 45.
Key Matchup: Jose Calderon vs. Jeremy LinWhen the Linsanity craze was first getting off the ground, Lin was torched by Jose Calderon for 25 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, but it was Lin who got the last laugh by draining the game-winner. In the rematch earlier this week, Calderon managed just 11 points and nine assists, but he's still working his way back from an ankle injury that had him sidelined for five games. If Calderon can cause Lin problems at both ends of the floor, the Knicks may struggle to win its sixth straight game against the Raptors.
Where: Air Canada Centre—Toronto, ONWhen: Friday, March 23, 7:00 p. m. ETWatch: MSG (New York), SNet1 (Toronto)Live Stream: NBA League PassListen: 1050 AM (New York), 590 (Toronto)Betting Line: Not available, according to Bovada. lv as of 10:55 a. ET on March 22. Key Injuries: Bill Walker (elbow), Jared Jeffries (knee)What They're SayingThe Knicks came away with a really impressive victory by beating the Sixers in Philadelphia on Wednesday in a game that many viewed as a true test for the improving New York team.
Knicks vs. Raptors: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and MoreChris Chambers/Getty ImagesThe renewed success of the New York Knicks under Mike Woodson has the NBA buzzing, and this is a team that looks entirely different than it had earlier this season. After a grind-it-out win against a very tough Philadelphia 76ers squad on Wednesday evening, the Knicks (23-24) will look to get back to the. 500 mark on Friday against the Toronto Raptors (15-32). The Knicks are 2-1 against the Raptors this season, including a 106-87 win on March 20, and New York will once again be looking to assert dominance over a less-talented club. With Andrea Bargnani struggling for Toronto and the Knicks appearing to be gelling at the right time, let's take a look at how these two teams match up.
0 rebounds, 20. 6 assists, 6. 9 steals and 4. 6 blocks per game while shooting 42. 1 per cent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100. 4 points. Injuries:Raptors: Scottie Barnes: out (knee), D. Wilson: out (health and safety protocols), Isaac Bonga: out (health and safety protocols), Goran Dragic: out (personal), Dalano Banton: out (health and safety protocols), David Johnson: out (calf). Knicks: Immanuel Quickley: out (conditioning), Jericho Sims: out (health and safety protocols), Danuel House Jr.