Knicks vs Raptors

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks ride a three-game winning streak into Toronto while the Raptors have dropped three straight, and New York has owned this matchup with nine consecutive victories that have often been decided by multiple possessions. After accounting for the current streaks, the injury sheet tilts only slightly toward the underdog: Pacome Dadiet, Miles McBride and Landry Shamet are out and Karl-Anthony Towns is questionable for New York, but Toronto is missing RJ Barrett and could be without Jamal Shead and Jamison Battle, which strains their wing depth and secondary playmaking. Towns has historically punished the Raptors with 20-plus-point, double-double lines and even at less than 100% still demands extra attention, and New York’s top-end trio of Brunson, Towns and Mikal Bridges has already dominated this matchup once this season, which is a level of shot creation and defense Toronto can’t quite match even with Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley surging. I’m backing New York Knicks -190 on the moneyline and grading it a B: the win probability is high given form, injuries and head-to-head history, but the price is inflated enough that the long-term monetary edge is only moderate. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 09/12/2025 09:39am

Scottie Barnes and the Raptors may be skidding in the standings, but their recent losses have still featured solid offensive totals, while the red-hot Knicks have used their three-game run and seven-wins-in-eight stretch to crank up the scoring margin, blowing out Utah and Orlando in succession. Starting with form, both teams’ games are playing into the low 230s on average this season, and even with RJ Barrett sidelined plus banged-up depth for Toronto and New York missing McBride and Shamet with Towns’ calf in question, there is still plenty of scoring usage concentrated in Barnes, Quickley, Brandon Ingram, Brunson and Towns, all of whom should see expanded minutes in this single-elimination NBA Cup setting. Historically, this matchup has leaned higher scoring in Toronto, and the combination of New York’s efficient, high-volume offense with Toronto’s tendency to trade buckets rather than grind slow when trailing points toward another game in the 230 range rather than the low 220s. I lean to Over 226.5 at -110 and grade it a B-, because the statistical profile and game environment support a high total, but the cluster of key injuries keeps the confidence and value tier just below the top shelf. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 09/12/2025 09:39am

Karl-Anthony Towns’ questionable status hangs over this number, but the Knicks arrive on a three-game winning streak and 7-1 run overall while the Raptors have lost three straight and are just 1-4 in their last five, and New York has covered eight of the last nine against Toronto while winning all nine outright. Once we factor in the streaks, the injury picture slightly favors the favorite despite New York’s own issues: Toronto losing RJ Barrett and potentially Jamal Shead and Jamison Battle strips away size and playmaking on the perimeter, whereas the Knicks’ absences are mostly in the guard depth behind Brunson, with Towns still having a real chance to play. Towns has been a problem for the Raptors for years with heavy double-double production, Brunson has consistently carved them up as a scorer and facilitator, and Toronto’s 4-9 ATS mark at home combined with its recent defensive slippage suggests that even a strong outing from Barnes and Quickley may not be enough to keep this inside two possessions. I’m laying the points with New York Knicks -4.5 at -110 and grading it a B-, believing the matchup advantages and head-to-head dominance justify a comfortable win, but acknowledging that Towns’ health and New York’s shaky broader road ATS profile add just enough risk to keep it out of A-range. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 09/12/2025 09:39am