Knicks @ Raptors: How & Who To Watch in Visit Up North

The New York Knicks will take a three-game winning streak into Canada with them, seeking revenge against their divisional rivals.

Author:
Geoff Magliocchetti
Jan 6, 2023 6:01 PM EST

The Toronto Raptors have already ended one certain New York Knicks winning streak. An opportunity for them to do so again lingers at home on Friday night.

Winners of each of their last three after a five-game drought, the Knicks have another prime opportunity for revenge after evening their yearly series with the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. New York is headed across the northern border to face a Raptors group that ended one of the NBA's longest modern winning streaks back on Dec. 21. That streak, of course, belonged to the Knicks, who have dropped 14 of their last 17 to Toronto, the latest being a 113-106 defeat at Madison Square Garden.

Dual 30-point efforts from the Knicks (RJ Barrett and Julius Randle) weren't enough to overcome 52 from Pascal Siakam, who earned a career-best in Manhattan. Toronto enters Friday action a game behind Chicago for the final Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament spot. Siakam's showcase failed to kickstart a significant winning streak, as Toronto has gone just 2-4 since then.

What: New York Knicks (21-18) @ Toronto Raptors (16-22)

Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON

When/Watch: Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG/MSG Go

Who's Favored: TOR -4

Keep An Eye On: Julius Randle

Friday marks the one-year anniversary of one of the most bizarre Knick games in recent memory: the team overcame a 24-point deficit against the Boston Celtics, Barrett sank a game-winning, buzzer-beating triple ... but the headlines centered upon Julius Randle offering MSG patrons a thumbs-down after hitting a fourth quarter basket, one he confirmed was meant to say "shut the f*** up," as he believed the support was of a sarcastic variety.

One year later, Randle is the Knicks' most consistent contributor and has been downright dominant in helping the team get back into the top-six conversation. Since Dec. 4, Randle has been on an absolute tear, averaging 28.4 points and 12.2 rebounds, good for 11th and fourth respectively in the NBA during that span. Uncertainty still hovers over Randle as the Knicks ponder if they can build a truly contending squad around him (especially at his $117 million salary), but his role in the Knicks' rise (11-5 since that fateful date) is undeniable. Randle might have other reasons to try and impress as well...have you seen the first All-Star vote returns?

Raptor to Watch: Gary Trent Jr.

The Raptors' recent visit to Madison Square Garden did not feature the services of Trent, who dealt with a brief absence due to a thigh issue. He has returned with a vengeance, heralding his comeback with back-to-back 30-plus point games. Though he didn't hit 30 in an ultimately futile endeavor against Milwaukee on Wednesday, Trent did hit a tying triple in the final minute that forced overtime.

Trent's success has come with the looming threat of the NBA trade deadline: with hosting duties come Play-In time likely its best-case scenario, Toronto might have some interesting decisions to make, especially with the way the standings look: following the Knicks' visit, the Raptors have four straight games against teams that currently rank outside of their respective conference's top six. Friday could start a potentially make-or-break stretch for the current Canada core.

Prediction

Indirect revenge went well for the Knicks on Wednesday night. Toronto presents a heftier challenge than the lowly Spurs, but as long as they hold the Raptors' biggest biters (Siakam, Trent, Fred VanFleet), they should be able to keep their winning streak alive and survive another night without Barrett.