Toronto Raptors play host to Atlantic Division foes, the New York Knicks. Tip off is 3:00 PM, ET.
To say the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks occupy entirely opposite ends of the NBA spectrum feels like the greatest understatement ever made. Punctuating this fact is the occurrences in the Mecca this past week. Derrick rose went AWOL on what was later deemed a personal family matter. When he finally resurfaced, rumor is he was fined something in the neighborhood of $200,000.00, but there he was suited up and starting in the next game. With all due respect to Rose, who may well have been dealing with a situation with his Mother or Son, this type of behavior is unacceptable. In the technically advanced world we live in, it would take 10 seconds for a text or phone call to notify the powers that be. At the very least he could have called his agent to handle the matter for him.
‘Super Team’ Knicks – far from ‘Super’:
The manner in which Knicks management dealt with this situation was also far from perfect. Knicks President, Phil Jackson though seen in public avoided the press and provided no statement, leaving coach Jeff Hornacek to deal with the fall-out. Making this narrative even more compelling was it comes on the heels of Rose stating he expects a max contract this summer.
Jackson for his part has stirred the pot via his inappropriate “posse” comments regarding LeBron James group of friends.
LeBron's manager: Phil Jackson's posse comments 'disrespectful' https://t.co/RSYRwfBbG8
— William Z (@nbaczar) January 12, 2017
Nor was his declaration of Carmelo Anthony stalling the offense well received. Worse, Jackson’s comments came in the middle of what was the Knicks best ball of the season (a period where they recorded a 6-1 record).
Although Jackson signed a trio of free agents (Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee) this past summer, the future of the Knicks will be centered around the unicorn – Kristaps Porzingis. This point was punctuated in the recent loss to the Sixers. With the Knicks leading by a point (after giving up a 10 point lead in the final 2:30 of the game) Hornacek’s play call was for Porzingis, not Melo or Rose. Perhaps Porzingis felt the weight of his coaches decision as he hoisted an air ball from the far corner. The Sixers quickly grabbed the rebound, hurried down court where T.J. McConnell capped the come back with a buzzer beater.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRhCth0IL0s
Following the loss, apparently Carmelo Anthony frustrated by the teams performance lost it in the Knicks locker room as per Matt Moore’s article:
The New York Daily News reports that after the Knicks lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 98-97 earlier this week, Carmelo Anthony went on a locker room tirade against teammates. He blasted their effort and, notably, the fact that he was frozen out on the Knicks’ failed winning-shot attempt (a Kristaps Porzingis airball).
As Moore points out the situation in New York is fraught with tension stemming mostly from the inability of Jackson and Anthony to meet in the middle. Further, Rose’s antics and an on-court group who don’t seem to mesh isn’t helping matters.
In their past 11 games the Knicks are 2-9 having won their most recent game to a Jimmy Butler-less Bulls squad. The road has not been friendly to New York as they boast a less than appealing 6-14 record and worse still they are 1-4 versus the Atlantic Division.
Suffice to say, all is not well in the Mecca with the Knicks sitting 10th, 25 games remaining versus currently seeded playoff squads, and including today, 21 road games still to play.
Toronto Raptors vs. Knicks Statistical Comparison:
Digging into the numbers there are three areas where the Knicks best the Raptors: rebounding, blocks and second chance points. Logically, the blocks and rebounding help increase second chance opportunities. If Porzingis doesn’t play this afternoon these areas of strengths for the Knicks become more evenly balanced between the squads.
Conversely, the Raptors areas of strengths increase in weight if the unicorn doesn’t play. In fact, after listening to pundits gush over the Warriors top ranked offense this past week, I bet one of the BBoyz the Raptors would reclaim that position by weeks end given their opponents this week. Sure enough, all it took was a 42-point fourth quarter explosion against the Nets for the Raptors to reclaim the top ranked offensive position.
Raptors Power Forward Uncertainty:
Entering the game the biggest question from the Raptors side of the equation is who will start at power forward. In the past 6 games four different players have lined up as the starting power forward:
- San Antonio Spurs – Pascal Siakam
- Utah Jazz/Chicago Bulls – Lucas Nogueira
- Houston Rockets – DeMarre Carroll
- Boston Celtics – Patrick Patterson
- Brooklyn Nets – Lucas Nogueira
With Patterson nursing an injury, Casey’s options were limited, while certain opponent rosters dictated who would start in others. Most notably for the Raptors was the apparent move away from Pascal Siakam, not just from the starting lineup, but in playing time in general. That said, in Friday’s game versus Brooklyn the upsurge in energy could be directly correlated with the moment Siakam entered the game. Having played down to their competition for the better portion of three quarters, Siakam seemingly uncorked whatever was holding the Raptors defense back and along with it their energy level. The resulting effect was the Raptors taking a lead into the fourth quarter, expanding it to 10 points in short order, 20 points at the 5 minute mark, and capped it by scoring 42 points in the quarter.
As for this afternoon’s contest, the situation on who starts at the four is no clearer. Patterson is listed as questionable and logically it might be wise to rest him given Casey stated he was less than 100 percent. Likewise, the unicorn, Kristaps Porzingis told reporters he’s doubtful which erases the automatic assumption Nogueira would start to match Porzingis size and length.
Raptors Second Half Priorities:
After surviving a heinous early schedule the Raptors enter the far easier portion of their schedule. Toronto have completed the majority of their games versus the Western Conference with just 11 remaining and 4 of those on the road. Moreover, of Toronto’s remaining 43 games only 19 are against currently seeded playoff squads. The trick will be not to get complacent. Rather, it’s essential the Raptors utilize these games to address specific areas of weakness, such as shoring up their defense. In addition, they need to integrate Sullinger and Wright into the rotation. Perhaps the most important task will be to find a way to keep Lowry and DeRozan healthy with a view to getting them to April as fresh as possible.
Clearly the Cavaliers have been the best in the East, but their schedule is only now hitting it’s difficult portion. Prior to this week the Cavs had played just 2 games on the West Coast. This week they lost back to back games at Utah and Portland prior to beating the Kings. Cleveland’s next 9 games feature 8 versus the West beginning with the Warriors on Monday, January 16th. If the Raptors are intent on winning the Conference, this period is key to gaining ground on Cleveland. To that end, Toronto must beat teams like the Knicks, and utilize these opportunities to tweak their issues with a view to building momentum into April.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVBbC_iCVRw
Rotations:
RAPTORS STARTING 5:
Point Guard: Kyle Lowry
Shooting Guard:DeMar DeRozan
Small Forward: DeMarre Carroll
Power Forward: *Lucas Nogueira
Center:Jonas Valanciunas
RAPTORS RESERVES:
Point Guard: Cory Joseph, Fred VanVleet
Shooting Guard:Norman Powell
Small Forward: Terrence Ross, Bruno Caboclo
Power Forward: **Patrick Patterson,
Center: Jakob Poeltl
Notes:
- As per Blake’s article both Jared Sullinger and Delon Wright have been cleared to practice (hallelujah).
- *as per above it’s anyone’s guess who’ll get the start at power forward. Casey could opt to stick with Nogueira, return to Siakam or move Carroll to the four and insert Powell into the starting lineup.
- **Patterson is listed as questionable by rotoworld and CBS Sports says he’s expected to be out (check Blake’s pregame news and notes for the most up to date status)
KNICKS STARTING 5:
Point Guard: Derrick Rose
Shooting Guard: Courtney Lee
Small Forward: *Lance Thomas
Power Forward: Carmelo Anthony
Center: Joakim Noah
KNICKS RESERVES:
Point Guard: Brandon Jennings, Sasha Vujacic
Shooting Guard: Justin Holiday, Ron Baker
Small Forward: Mindaugus Kuzminskas
Power Forward: Maurice Ndour
Center: Kyle O’Quinn, Willy Hernangomez, Marshall Plumlee
Notes:
- Kristaps Porzingis told reporters Saturday he’s unlikely to play in Toronto as he nurses his sore Achilles
- * In the game versus the Bulls, Lance Thomas started, but Hornacek has shown a propensity to mix up his starting line-up with a number of different players. Should he go with Thomas again he and Anthony are both 6’8″ small forwards, but Melo is quite comfortable playing in the power forward spot.
- In the last outing versus the Bulls, Plumlee wasn’t dressed, so he may be with the Knicks D-League squad
#Knicks KPorzingis on playing Sunday in Toronto w/achy Achilles: "Probably not"
— Fred Kerber (@FredKerber) January 14, 2017
Game Specifics:
Recent History: The Raptors hold the all-time record 42-40. Toronto has won the last 4 meetings and are 7-2 in the last nine meetings (including the apology loss, last season — see closing).
Referee Assignments: Ken Mauer (#41), Michael Smith (#38), and Scott Wall (#31)
Fan Data:
The Venue: Air Canada Center, Toronto, Ontario
The Tip: 3:00 PM EST
TV: Sportsnet 4 and 5
Radio: TSN Radio 1050
The Line: Odds makers seem to be back on the Raptors train in a big way as they appoint Toronto 9.5 point favorites with an over-under of 217.5 points.
In Closing: Despite the turmoil and craziness the Knicks find themselves mired in, if they find a way to get to the post season the slower pace of the post season would benefit their roster. Furthermore, the veteran experience on their squad could present issues for a higher seed, especially if they could manage to set aside their egos long enough to function as a selfless unit.
That said, don’t expect the Raptors to feel any remorse for the Knicks current turmoil and lack of chemistry. After surviving their heinous early schedule, the Raptors must take advantage of their markedly easier second half schedule. The Raptors have yet to lose versus an Atlantic Division Team, and today isn’t the day to change that trend.
Let’s hope Coach Casey has reminded the Raptors of an uncalled foot out of bounds and 10-step travel which resulted in a loss last season. Because Toronto failed to take care of business early in that game, the no call became an issue and for all intents and purposes cost the Raptors the top seed of the Conference. If the Raptors are who we think they are, which is a team who have learned from their mistakes, they’ll take care of business today by putting the Knicks away early.
Check back prior to game start, for Blakes news and notes pregame update.
