Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks: Game preview, injury report, TV channel, start time and odds

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Who's Playing

Matchup:  Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks

Records:  Raptors (21-32), Knicks (26-27)

Where to Watch

Date:  Sunday, April 11

Time:  8:00 p.m. ET

TV:  Sportsnet

Location:  Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Game Preview

After a sizzling shooting performance in a 20-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, the Raptors are right back in action as they travel to Madison Square Garden to take on the Knicks.

TAKEAWAYS:  Scorching Raptors cruise past Cavs

It was Gary Trent Jr. that stole the show Saturday, exploding for a career-high 44 points on 17-for-19 shooting, becoming the third player in NBA history to score 44 or more points while shooting 89 percent or better from the field. Trent stepped up in a major way on a night where the Raptors were without Pascal Siakam, who sat on the front end of the back-to-back to rest.

MORE:  Three stats to know from Trent's career night

As the Raptors gear up to face a staunch defensive team in the Knicks, Siakam is set to return to the lineup but the team will be without OG Anunoby, who is resting on the second end of a back-to-back. While Fred VanVleet remains out with a hip injury, Kyle Lowry has been upgraded to questionable due to his foot infection, per the official injury report at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

In the absence of the guard duo, rookie Malachi Flynn put forth the best performance of his young career, finishing with 20 points and 11 assists in the win over the Cavs. Rookie guards could very well take centre stage as Flynn will almost certainly spend time matched up with Knicks' guard Immanuel Quickley, who is coming off of a 20-point performance in an overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies Friday.

On Friday, All-Star Julius Randle did a little bit of everything, finishing 15 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to record his fifth triple-double of the season while Canadian RJ Barrett came up big, scoring 18 points in the second half and overtime, including big clutch buckets down the stretch to lift his team.

MORE:  Barrett is coming into his star potential

What really stands out from the Knicks' most recent outing is that their bench scored 72 of the team's 133 points, led by Quickley's 20 points and 19 points apiece from Alec Burks and Derrick Rose. Given the Raptors' injury issues and depth – or lack thereof – scoring of the second unit could be a big key in this one.

With respect to second units, the Raptors are set to welcome Khem Birch into the fold on Sunday after Freddie Gillespie impressed in his debut on Saturday. Given the physical nature of this New York team and its big man rotation of Randle, Taj Gibson and Nerlens Noel, Toronto will need as much from its frontcourt as possible.

Ahead of a big week, the Raptors have an opportunity to build momentum as it meets a legitimate playoff contender in the Knicks.

Injury Report

Raptors

  • OG Anunoby (rest) – Out
  • Jalen Harris (right hip pointer) – Out
  • Kyle Lowry (right foot infection) – Questionable
  • Fred VanVleet (left hip flexor) –  Out
  • Paul Watson (Health and Safety protocols) – Out

Knicks

  • John Henson (strained right calf) – Out
  • Mitchell Robinson (right foot surgery) – Out

Raptors vs. Knicks: Betting odds, spread, over/under

Spread:  Knicks -3.0 (-110), Raptors +3.0 (-110)

Raptors Money line:  +130

Knicks Money line:  -150

Over/under:  216.0 (-110)

*Odds courtesy of  William Hill Sports Book

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Author(s)
Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.