Teams heating up at just the right time collide when the Toronto Raptors visit the New York Knicks in an NBA Eastern Conference matchup on Saturday. The Raptors (25-34), who are 6-4 in their last 10 games, have won nine of their last 10 meetings against the Knicks (33-27), including nine straight in games played at New York. The Knicks, who have won eight in a row, are 21-17 against Eastern Conference foes this year. The teams have split the first two meetings of the season.
The game from Madison Square Garden in New York is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. The Raptors are averaging 112.0 points per game, while the Knicks average 106.7. The latest Raptors vs. Knicks odds from William Hill Sportsbook list this game as a pick'em, down from New York opening at -3.5. The over-under for total points scored is set at 213.5. Before making any Knicks vs. Raptors picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, and it has returned over $9,200 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past two-plus seasons. The model is up over $1,200 on its top-rated picks this season, and dating back to last year, it entered Week 18 of the 2020-21 NBA schedule on a stunning 96-60 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Knicks vs. Raptors. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Raptors vs. Knicks:
- Raptors vs. Knicks spread: Pick'em
- Raptors vs. Knicks over-under: 213.5 points
- Raptors vs. Knicks money line: Knicks -110, Raptors -110
- TOR: Is 9-1 in its last 10 games played at Madison Square Garden
- NYK: Has covered in 11 straight games
Why the Knicks can cover
Despite being shorthanded with a number of players sidelined, including shooting guard Alec Burks (illness), center Mitchell Robinson (foot) and power forward John Henson (calf), the Knicks have been on a roll. New York has not lost since April 7 at Boston and have been paced by a number of players who have stepped up when needed. One of those is veteran point guard Derrick Rose, who has reached double figures in each of the last 10 games, including a 20-point performance on Wednesday in an overtime win over Atlanta. For the season, Rose is averaging 13.3 points, 3.9 assists and 2.4 rebounds primarily off the bench.
Also powering the Knicks is forward Reggie Bullock, who has started 52 of 53 games this season. He is averaging 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 assists per game. Against Atlanta, he chipped in 18 points, while adding four assists, three rebounds and one steal. He has 27 games this season in which he has scored 10 or more points with the Knicks going 21-6 in those. He is an 89.2 percent free throw shooter.
Why the Raptors can cover
Despite that, New York isn't a lock to cover the Raptors vs. Knicks spread. That's because Toronto has also been playing well of late, including a 114-103 victory over top-seeded Brooklyn 114-103 on Wednesday. Power forward Pascal Siakam scored a team-high 27 points on 10 of 19 shooting, including 2 of 5 from 3-point range against the Nets. He also grabbed nine rebounds and dished out six assists. He is tied for the team lead with 11 double-doubles. In 47 games, all starts, Siakam is averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Also powering the Raptors' offense is Fred VanVleet, who has missed eight of his last 10 games, including seven due to a strained left hip flexor. Against Brooklyn, VanVleet scored 17 points on 5 of 13 shooting, including 5 of 10 from 3-point range, grabbed three rebounds and added five assists. He leads Toronto with a career-high 152 3-pointers made this season. He is connecting on 36.9 percent of his shots this year. For the season, he is averaging 19.4 points, 6.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.
How to make Raptors vs. Knicks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 209 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time. You can get that pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Raptors vs. Knicks? And which side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a roll on NBA picks.
