Cards on the table. The Toronto Raptors have been an infuriating team to handicap for my free NBA picks so far this season. The last three games are a perfect example: Sloppy games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Brooklyn Nets resulted in back-to-back losses. So, of course, they come out next game and take down the red-hot Phoenix Suns.
So, which Raptors team will we see when they welcome the New York Knicks to town on Friday night? The Raps, who have generally been a much better team at home, are slight favorites for this Atlantic Division battle.
However, there has been one reliable wager when betting on the Raps this season. So, I break down the NBA odds and bring you that bet in my picks and predictions for Knicks vs. Raptors on Friday, December 1.
Knicks vs Raptors odds
Knicks vs Raptors predictions
As I said, the Raptors have been a hard team to figure out this season. They looked pretty ugly in losses to the Cavaliers and Nets. So, of course, they seemingly come out of nowhere to upset Kevin Durant and the Suns, who were on a seven-game winning streak. Such tendencies can make them a tough team to predict.
That said, the Raps have been consistent in one area: shooting the basketball — and not in a good way. Toronto just doesn’t have great shooters. Overall, the Raptors rank 22nd in offensive rating, 24th in effective field goal percentage, and 26th in 3-point shooting percentage.
That has come back to bite them in the butt when playing solid defensive teams. The Raptors have played eight games this season against teams in the NBA's top half of defensive rating. They're averaging just 100.3 points per game with a highwater mark of 107 in those matchups. Yet, their team total for this matchup is sitting at 110.5.
The New York Knicks qualify as a good defensive team. The Knicks rank fourth in defensive rating and are second in scoring defense, allowing just 105.4 points per game. Part of the reason New York gives up so few points is because it plays at such a slow rate. The Knicks rank 29th in pace and they allow the fewest field goal attempts per game.
I’m betting the Raptors' shooting woes continue against a solid Knicks defense. Take the Under on Toronto’s team total.
My best bet: Raptors team total Under 110.5 (-130 at Pointsbet)
Knicks vs Raptors same-game parlay
Raptors team total Under 110.5
Jalen Brunson 3+ made threes
RJ Barrett Over 3.5 rebounds
As usual, our same-game parlay tips off with my best bet. And while the Knicks defense is solid, the Raps have take a bit of a step back in that area after a hot start.
Toronto now ranks 14th in opponent effective field goal percentage and 3-point shooting percentage. That means Jalen Brunson could be a problem. Brunson has been red-hot from beyond the arc this season. He’s hitting a ridiculous 52.4% of his attempts from 3-point range over his last 11 games, hitting three or more threes eight times over that stretch. Take Brunson to make 3+ threes.
And let’s close this SGP out with another prop that takes advantage of the Raps' poor shooting. Missed shots mean rebounds and the Knicks lead the NBA in rebounding rate. My favorite number today on the board is RJ Barrett to go Over 3.5 rebounds.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Knicks vs Raptors spread and Over/Under analysis
The Raptors opened this Eastern Conference clash as 2-point home favorites and have seen the early action moving the line to Toronto -3.
The Raptors have generally played better at home and showed their potential in their win against the Suns. They have won five of their last seven games at home, going 5-2 ATS in the process. With the Raptors ranking 11th in defensive rating and the Knicks ranking 27th in effective field goal percentage, I can see why some bettors could like the Raptors here.
But I’m staying away from the spread since the Raptors have a tendency to put up a dud at times.
When it comes to the total, it hit the board at 217.5 and the early action has been on the Under, moving the number down to 216 as of Friday afternoon. Since I’m on the Raptors team total Under I’d lean toward the full game Under as well, when you consider the Knicks’ slow pace of play.
Knicks vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors have hit the Under in three straight games. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Raptors.
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Knicks vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Friday, December 1, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MSG, Sportsnet |
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