Toronto Raptors vs New York Knicks Betting Pick & Prediction 12/23/24

At 7:30 ET, the New York Knicks (-1044) will host the Toronto Raptors (+673) in a divisional matchup. The Knicks are currently favored by 13.5 points, while the over/under line is set at 227.5.

New York (18-10) has won three straight games and is currently 3rd in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, Toronto (7-22) has lost seven in a row and is 14th in the East.

TORONTO RAPTORS VS NEW YORK KNICKS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Toronto Raptors +13.5

This game will be played at Madison Square Garden at 7:30 ET on Monday, December 23rd.

WHY BET THE TORONTO RAPTORS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 136-135 in favor of the Knicks.
• Our projections have Jalen Brunson finishing with 29 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists.
• From the field, we have the Knicks finishing with a field goal percentage of 48.1% and knocking down 16 threes.

Are Toronto Ready for a Road Win?

The Raptors fell to 7-22 on the season after a 114-110 loss to the Rockets on Sunday. Despite being +9 point underdogs, Toronto kept it close at home, losing by just four points. The game’s total of 224 points narrowly exceeded the O/U line of 222.5.

Toronto jumped out to a 25-13 lead with a 10-0 run and led 35-24 after the 1st quarter. However, Houston chipped away, winning the 2nd quarter 27-22 and the 3rd quarter 33-26. The Rockets edged the Raptors 30-27 in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

Ja’Kobe Walter led the Raptors with 27 points and 6 threes in their loss to the Rockets, hitting 54.5% from deep. He scored 14 points in the 1st quarter and added 9 more in the 4th. Chris Boucher and Ochai Agbaji each contributed 15 points, with Boucher scoring 10 in the 3rd quarter.

Toronto made 17 threes, shooting 39.5% from beyond the arc and 45.7% overall. Gradey Dick added 14 points, scoring 5 in both the 1st and 4th quarters, while Jamal Shead and Jamison Battle each finished with 11 points.

Defensively, the Raptors held the Rockets to 114 points, allowing 24 in the 1st quarter and 27 in the 2nd. However, they gave up 33 points in the 3rd and 30 in the 4th.

Toronto limited Houston’s three-point shooting, allowing just 7 threes on 25% shooting. The Raptors finished with 10 steals and 3 blocks.

Can the Knicks Lock in a Home Win?

The Knicks improved to 18-10 on the season with a 104-93 win over the Pelicans on Saturday. New York, favored by 8 points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 197 points fell well short of the 223.5 O/U line.

After a 10-0 run by the Pelicans in the 1st quarter, the Knicks responded by outscoring New Orleans 33-26 in the 3rd and 26-18 in the 4th to seal the win.

Jalen Brunson’s 39-point performance, including 16 points in the 3rd quarter and 13 in the 4th, led the Knicks to a win over the Pelicans. He hit 7 threes at a 70% rate, finishing with a 68.4% overall shooting percentage.

As a team, the Knicks made 15 threes, shooting 40.5% from beyond the arc, though their overall FG% was 43.7%. Mikal Bridges added 18 points, 8 of which came in the 4th quarter.

The Knicks put together a strong defensive performance on Saturday, holding the Pelicans to just 93 points. New York allowed 28 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd, giving up only 21 points. They allowed 26 points in the 3rd before finishing strong, holding New Orleans to 18 points in the 4th.

Overall, the Knicks held the Pelicans to 41% shooting, including 35% from beyond the arc, where New Orleans made 12 threes. The Pelicans also went 13/19 from the free-throw line. Defensively, New York recorded 11 steals and 3 blocks.