The Knicks (12-13) and Raptors (11-14) face off for the second time this season. Game one in NY featured one of Toronto’s better character wins this season without Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam. OG Anunoby had a career-high 36 points, Gary Trent added 26, and Svi Mykhailiuk enjoyed one of his best games too with 15 as a starter.
Bing Bong. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/6600eWPSA0
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 2, 2021
New York was 5-1 before that uninspiring effort and it seemed to derail the season a bit. Now they’ve fallen under .500 after getting blown out by the Pacers on Wednesday. Both Julius Randle and RJ Barrett’s numbers have taken a dip, and Kemba Walker has been out of the rotation for the last six games. Kemba played 18 games before being benched, averaging 11.7 points and 3.1 assists on 43/41/80 splits this season.
The Raptors are 2-3 on their seven game home stand and only 4-9 overall at the Big Bank this season after their own lackluster performance vs OKC. This quote from Nick Nurse after Justin Champagnie nearly won the game anyway would make one assume there will be a better effort on Friday.
Why did Nurse go to Champagnie in the 4th? “I didn’t like any of the other guys. The other guys were soft and unenergetic and not playing their role.”
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) December 9, 2021
Mykhailiuk especially was unplayable, and it’s been that way for a while. Maybe he just needs to see the Knicks again? I kind of miss Matt Devlin’s goofy/intentionally cringey Svi puns. Like Toronto, New York also plays better away from home (7-5 on the road).
One Wish
Hoping for good news on Precious Achiuwa’s status. He missed Wednesday’s game with a sore shoulder and Chris Boucher started in his place. The Raps actually outrebounded OKC by six, but the Knicks have bigger, more experienced bodies that could be a problem on the glass.
Positive Hat
Pascal Siakam in his last 9 games (since shooting 2-14 in Utah):
22.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.4 apg, 51/39/74 shooting splits.
All-star Siakam in 2019-2020 pre-bubble:
23.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 46/36/80 shooting splits.
Pretty much the same guy. He’s had great first halves especially and is getting back to using his size and handle to score in the paint and the elbow areas. The next step is to be just as efficient closing out games.
Game Info
Tip-Off: 7:30pm EST | TV: TSN 1/4/5 | Radio: Sportsnet 590
Knicks Lineup
Nerlens Noel (back) is probable. Who knows when Kemba will play again.
PG: Alec Burks, Immanuel Quickley, Miles McBride, Kemba Walker
SG: Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose, Quentin Grimes
SF: RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox
PF: Julius Randle, Obi Toppin, Jericho Sims
C: Nerlens Noel, Mitchell Robinson, Taj Gibson
Raptors Lineup
No players or coaches are in health and safety protocols (yet) since Masai Ujiri’s positive covid test was announced. OG Anunoby (hip), Khem Birch (knee) and Goran Dragic (personal) remain out. Champagnie (knee tendinitis) is questionable. Achiuwa is also questionable, as mentioned above.
PG: Fred VanVleet, Dalano Banton, Malachi Flynn
SG: Gary Trent Jr, Svi Mykhailiuk, David Johnson
SF: Scottie Barnes, Isaac Bonga
PF: Pascal Siakam, Yuta Watanabe
C: Chris Boucher
The Line
The Raptors are favoured by 1.5 points. Over under is 209.5. 6-3 at guessing the over/under this season and I sense this is going to be one of those ugly grind out games with some offensive droughts. I’m taking the under.
