Sunday, April 9, 2017

Madison Square Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Toronto Raptors travel to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks on Sunday, April 9, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto as 4.5 point favorites.

The Raptors come into this game with an overall record of 49-31. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.9 as they are averaging 106.9 points per game while giving up 103.0 per contest. The Knicks have an overall record of 30-50. They currently are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 104.3 points per game and surrendering 107.9, good for a point differential of -3.6.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 42-36-2 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 43-37-0 against the over/under

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 42-38-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 37-43-0 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key New York Knicks Injuries

04/08/17 F Kristaps Porzingis Back doubtful Sunday vs. Toronto
04/08/17 F Lance Thomas Hip doubtful Sunday vs. Toronto
04/02/17 PG Derrick Rose Knee out for season
03/20/17 C Joakim Noah Knee out for season

Player Spotlight

DeMar DeRozan comes into this contest averaging 27.2 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Raptors. He pulls down 5.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 84%. Jonas Valanciunas averages 12.1 points per game in 26 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.7 assists per contest and 9.6 rebounds per game for Toronto. His field goal percentage is 56% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%.

For expert handicapping advice on this matchup and other NBA games check out our handicapping tips.

Player Spotlight

Carmelo Anthony averages 22.5 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per contest this year for the Knicks. He grabs 5.9 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%. Kristaps Porzingis averages 18.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.2 rebounds per contest and 1.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 106.9 points per contest this season which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.96 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 43.2 rebounds per game and 18.5 assists per game which ranks them 19th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 12.8 per game. The Raptors allow 103 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 9th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.1 rebounds a game which ranks 6th and they give up 21.7 assists per contest which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 104.3 points per game this year which ranks them 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.61 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 24th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 21st in the NBA. They average 45.3 rebounds per game and 21.8 assists per contest which ranks them 5th and 19th respectively. In the turnover department the Knicks rank 14th with 13.9 per game. The Knicks allow 107.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 12th and 6th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 44.9 rebounds a game which ranks 26th and they give up 21.8 assists per contest which puts them in 9th place in the league. The Knicks force 13 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors have an offensive rating of 112.2 and a defensive rating of 108. In terms of pace they average 94.8 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 52%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they shoot 3 pointers on 29% of their shots. Toronto turns the ball over an average of 11.8 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks rating on offense is 107.6 and they have a defensive rating of 111.3. They get 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they attempt 3 pointers on 28% of their shot attempts. New York turns the ball over on 12.4 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.7 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

Who will win tonight's Raptors/Knicks NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take New York +4.5

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