USA Today via Reuters
Dec 27, 2020; New York, New York, USA; RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks drives towards the net against Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden on December 27, 2020 in New York City. Mandatory Credit: Mike Stobe/pool photo via USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 27, 2020; New York, New York, USA; RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks drives towards the net against Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden on December 27, 2020 in New York City. Mandatory Credit: Mike Stobe/pool photo via USA TODAY Sports
The New York Knicks are scheduled to take on the Toronto Raptors in a special New Year’s Eve game. The Knicks have started the season surprisingly well, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks by 20 points in a major upset after losing their first two games. They then defeated an in-form Cleveland Cavaliers and are now looking a much better team this season.
On the other hand, the Toronto Raptors have had a torrid start to their new season. They’ve lost all of their opening games so far and look nothing like their championship-winning team after losing most of their core. The losses of Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol have weakened the team, and now they are struggling a lot.
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With that in mind, let us see what we can expect from the Knicks vs Raptors game.
New York Knicks
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 29, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) defends New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) in the third quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Knicks have had a strong start to the season. Julius Randle is looking entirely different from the player he was last season. After one year of underwhelming performances, Randle is showing why the Knicks paid so much for him. On the other hand, rookie signing Obi Toppin is yet to play an official game.
RJ Barrett has also been putting in good performances since the season has begun, and should be expected to start the game.
New York Knicks Predicted Line-Up: RJ Barrett, Elfrid Payton, Reggie Bullock, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson
Toronto Raptors
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 29, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Raptors have not been playing well at all. Pascal Siakam has been putting up strong numbers, but not been the All-Star he was last season. Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry must perform better if the Raptors want to turn around their form this year because they are not doing enough for the team to do well.
Toronto Raptors Predicted Line-Up: Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Aron Baynes
New York Knicks vs Toronto Raptors – Prediction
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 29, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) dunks in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Knicks are on a two-game win streak coming into the game and look much better than last season. Whereas, the Raptors have not done enough to inspire any kind of confidence. The Raptors cannot afford another loss, but do not have enough to sneak a win over a new-look, better-performing New York Knicks
Prediction – Knicks beat the Raptors in a fairly close game.
Who do you think will win between the Raptors and the Knicks? Let us know in the comments below.
