The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors are at different stages of development. The Raptors are still cocooning while the Knicks are fluttering their beautifully colored wings. New York is fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 14-9 record while Toronto is 13th at 7-17.
This will likely not be an up-and-down affair, as the Knicks are 29th in pace while the Raptors are 16th.
Toronto is 23rd in offensive efficiency and 22nd in defensive efficiency. New York is second in offensive efficiency and 19th in efficiency.
This game is in Toronto, where the Raptors are 6-6. That doesn’t seem impressive until you see the road record of 1-11. New York is 6-6 away from MSG.
A big variable for this game is the health of Karl-Anthony Towns, who is questionable with a knee issue. If he’s unable to go, then Jalen Brunson should see an increase in usage rate and playing time.
DraftKings Sportsbook has NYK -5.5 on the road over TOR with the total at 229.5. Keep track of injury updates at DK Live.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st] (NYK at TOR)
Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks
Captain’s Picks
Jalen Brunson ($15,900 CP): If Towns plays, then I’m pivoting to either to Towns, Scottie Barnes or Jakob Poeltl. As it stands, I’m working under the assumption that Towns is out. In 278 minutes this season with Towns off the court, Brunson has seen a 5.35% usage rate bump to 35.26%. On Saturday, Brunson played 44 minutes and put up 53.5 FPTS. Towns missed one other game this season back in November. Brunson played 34 minutes in that one and put up 51.25 FPTS.
UTIL Plays
Scottie Barnes ($11,400): Barnes is the do-it-all young franchise of the Raptors. He literally stuffs the stat sheet and is close to being a 1/1/1 player. While he only shoots 30% from downtown, he makes just enough and isn’t scared to hoist them. On the season, he’s averaging 21 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks. Barnes has put up at least 40 FPTS in each of the last seven games with four over 50 and a high of 61.5 FPTS.
Jakob Poeltl ($8,800): Poeltl has put up at least 40 FPTS in each of the last four games. He’s double-doubled in three of those contests. Poetl is an excellent passer, so he dishes out dimes, but he also racks up steals and blocks. Whichever center plays for New York, Poeltl should be able to feast and rack up fantasy goodies.
OG Anunoby ($7,600): Over the last two games, OG has played 39 and 40 minutes. And minutes are half the battle. But OG is not just a minutes play. He stuffs the stat sheet. Known as a defensive stopper, he’s racked up four blocks and eight steals, but he’s also shown off the offensive repertoire, chucking up 15 and 18 shots, draining six and 10 while dishing out four assists and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Fades
RJ Barrett ($10,000): Barrett does have 50-FPTS upside and he’s certainly developed in his sixth NBA season, averaging a career-high 23.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists. Can’t play everyone and Barrett is the fourth-most expensive player on the slate. Barrett averages 1.17 FPTS and I’m thinking he lands more in the high-30 FPTS range due to the wing defenders that New York has.
THE OUTCOME
The Knicks are the better team, but they are far from perfect, especially on the road. That said, while I expect a competitive affair, I still like the Knicks to eek out a victory.
Final Score: Knicks 122, Raptors 118
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st] (NYK at TOR)
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
