Line: Toronto -9.5 Total: 200.5
The Raptors (30-15 SU) are the hottest team in the league with a nine-game winning streak. They’ve opened a five-game lead over Boston in the Atlantic Division, with the Knicks nine-games back.
Toronto (26-18-1 ATS) has also made its backers happy of late with five straight covers and eight-of-nine. The team now ranks fourth overall in the ATS standings for the year.
Point guard Kyle Lowry was recently named an All-Star starter, well deserved with his 20.9 PPG, 6.4 APG and 5.0 RPG averages. He scored 29 points in a home win against Washington on Tuesday (106-89 as 8-point favorites), but hurt his wrist and is listed as questionable. Cory Joseph should get the start if he can’t go.
MORE: NBA live odds page | NBA ATS standings
The Knicks (22-25 SU, 27-20 ATS) have dropped three straight after a 128-122 OT home loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday. They did cover as 9-point dogs after going 1-5 ATS in their previous six. New York is the second-best ATS team this season.
Star Carmelo Anthony (knee) sat out last game, which is why the point spread was so big. He is listed as questionable tonight, with the team 0-5 SU and 2-3 ATS in games he’s missed this year.
New York won the first meeting against Toronto this year back in November, 111-109 as 7.5-point road dogs. Anthony had 25 points, while the Raptors struggled from beyond the arc (4 of 17).
The Knicks are 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings overall between the teams. The OVER is 4-0 in the last four and 7-0 in the last seven at the Air Canada Centre.
More Thursday NBA: Bulls-Lakers
MORE: NBA live scoreboard | Knicks-Raptors stats and trends
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