Raptors vs. Knicks prediction, tips and odds for today’s NBA game

When RJ Barrett was included in the trade for OG Anunoby, it felt like it was done just to make the money work. But Barrett thrived in the 6ix and hopes to prove that when he and the Toronto Raptors visit the New York Knicks tonight.

My Raptors vs. Knicks predictions highlight the impact Barrett will have on this matchup, especially when it comes to cleaning the screen. Here are my NBA picks for this Atlantic Division battle on Monday, December 23rd.

Raptors vs Knicks prediction

My Raptors picks
RJ Barrett 8+ rebounds (+230 at PointsBet Canada)

My analysis
The rebuild is a complete success for the Toronto Raptors.

They take the lead tonight against the New York Knicks with a record of 7:22. Toronto will have a tough time facing an 18-10 Knicks team that is a 14-point home favorite and is coming off a three-game road trip.

Still, there were some bright spots for the Raps. Despite the losses piling up, this team was fierce, going 19-9-1 ATS on the season. Second, RJ Barrett was so good that he brought himself into the conversation as part of the solution.

The 24-year-old is probably having the best season of his career, averaging 23.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. Additionally, his first 56 games with the Raptors resulted in the best effective and true field goal percentages of his career.

Barrett has missed the last two games due to illness, and his presence has definitely been missed. He was one of the Raptors’ top scorers, but also did great work on the glass. This will be even more necessary as Jakob Pöltl is out with a groin injury.

Poeltl is the Raptors’ leading rebounder, so other guys need to step up in that area. So why not Barrett, who could be primed for a big game in his return to Madison Square Garden after being substituted almost a year ago?

Before Barrett’s illness, he was having a memorable December when he scored 25.1 points in seven appearances and his rebounds per game increased to 7.9. That includes pulling down eight boards in a matchup against the same Knicks team in Toronto on December 9th.

In fact, Barrett grabbed eight or more rebounds four times during that seven-game span. New York ranks a mediocre 11th in the NBA in rebound rate, and I love the narrative about Barrett having a big game tonight. Oh, I love the plus money too.

Same game between Raptors and Knicks

RJ Barrett 8+ rebounds

Gradey Dick 3+ threesome

Karl-Anthony Towns Over 23.5 points

Another young man weighing in on the discussion about Toronto’s future is second-year student Gradey Dick. The shooting guard is making a leap in development this season, averaging 18.3 points per game.

Dick, who is known as a sharpshooter, suffered a slight cold from 3-point range in November, and then an injury didn’t help. But it looks like his shooting touch has returned since his return. Dick has shot 37.9% on 8.3 attempts from distance in his last seven games.

One place to attack the Knicks is at the rim, where they rank 19th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and 16th in opponent 3-point attempts per game. Dick has hit three or more three-pointers in five of his last seven games.

No, Jakob Poeltl for the Raptors tonight should mean little resistance for Karl-Anthony Towns. KAT is averaging 24.5 points per game this season and has eclipsed 23.5 points in three of its last six games, including 24 against the Raps on Dec. 9.

Learn how to place a bet in the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Raptors vs Knicks odds

Raptors vs Knicks live odds

Raptors vs. Knicks opening odds

• Spread: Toronto +14 | New York -14
• Money line: Toronto +700 | New York -1100
• Over/Under: About 227.5 | Below 227.5

Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada

Raptors vs. Knicks spread and over/under analysis

• The Raptors opened this Atlantic Division game as two touchdown underdogs, with the odds now between 13.5 and 14.5.
• The Raptors are used to being underdogs, having been favored only once this season, and are 19-8-1 in scoring. New York failed to erase an eight-point lead in the Dec. 9 meeting in Toronto, which the Knicks won 113-108.
• The total was 227.5 and was lowered slightly so that it now stands at 225.5 as of Monday afternoon.
• The Raptors’ fast offense and difficult defense usually make them a solid over-bet. However, with the Knicks ranking second to last in the NBA in pace of play, it’s easy to see why the early money was given to Under.

Raptors vs Knicks trend

The Raptors have reached the 1H total under in 15 of their last 21 games, representing +8.25 units and a 34% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Knicks.

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Raptors vs. Knicks recent injuries

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