The New York Knicks (14-9) and Toronto Raptors (7-17) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The game will broadcast live on NBA TV.
The Knicks are 7-point road favorites over the Raptors (Knicks -7), with the over/under set at 231.5 total points. New York is a -290 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Toronto is +235 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Knicks vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks for Monday, December 9.
Knicks vs Raptors Prediction, Picks
Spread
Neither team is coming off a win here. But both the Knicks and Raptors have good records against the spread when coming off a loss this season.
The Knicks enter Toronto as 7-point favorites, in what should feel like a bounce-back spot after their dubious home loss to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.
The Knicks are 5-3 ATS after a loss, but the Raptors — who have more losses — are 12-4 ATS after taking an L, tied for the third-best record in that situation, and they're the sharp side per our metrics. It's worth noting that this line opened at -4 and has been bet up since.
Additionally, the Raptors are 9-3 ATS at home, tied for third-best in the league.
Moneyline
Raptors or nothing, and despite being at home and healthier than they've been for a large portion of the season, I'm not betting it, especially given that they're 7-17.
Over/Under
The over is more appealing to me here. The Knicks defense is not good. Toronto's is worse.
Toronto also doesn't have the best offense in the league, which the Knicks statistically have been. The Raptors have played to the over in eight of 12 at home and in nine of 16 after a loss.
The Knicks have played to the over on the road in 8 of 12, and sometimes, the unders have come because of blowouts, which this doesn't project to be, even though the records may indicate that.
My Pick: Over 231.5
Knicks vs Raptors Odds, Point Spread, Total, Lines
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-7 -110 | 231.5 -110 / -110 | -290 |
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+7 -110 | 231.5 -110 / -110 | +235 |
- Knicks vs. Raptors spread: Knicks -7
- Knicks vs. Raptors over/under: 231.5 points
- Knicks vs. Raptors moneyline: Knicks -290, Raptors +235
- Knicks vs. Raptors best bet: Over 231.5
My Raptors vs. Knicks best bet is on the over at 231.5 total points. But as always, be sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Knicks vs Raptors NBA Monday
Here's a prop I like for this game. Scottie Barnes over 36.5 points + rebounds + assists at -120 is a play for me tonight.
Barnes has gone over this number is four of five outings, and five of his last seven.
The Raptors are leaning on him heavily to score, to help rebound, to playmake, to create, and overall, be the hub of this offense.
Barnes, uniquely, has a skillset and frame that could hurt the Knicks in the two spots they're weakest on defense: At the point of attack and on the interior.
Additionally, Barnes could also get his against the Knicks inconsistent wing defense, which often feels like they're on tilt due to helping an overmatched Karl-Anthony Towns on screen and roll situations — often with options.
Barnes, being the Raptors primary ball-handler more often than not, could put the pressure on the Knicks in a number of ways, and he has the size, strength and overall physicality to finish off drives, which New York hasn't had the easiest time defending this season.
And now, Barnes is taking six threes per game, and while he's only shooting 30% from long range on the year, it's a shot you have to respect more often than you think. He's shot 32.3% since returning from injury, while attempting north of seven per game over his last nine.
But that span is heavily watered down by a 2-for-12 outing in New Orleans, and otherwise, he has made at least 40% from deep in six of his last nine outings.
Knicks vs Raptors Betting Predictions, Parlay
I'll never advise you to play a parlay. But I'm going to put a light sprinkle on one tonight. Barnes over 36.5 PRA, Karl-Anthony Towns to make two threes, and an alternate over at 227.5 total points is +280 on DraftKings.
I like, don't love, the over at 231.5 as mentioned earlier, so I'll take the alternate line instead. And regarding KAT's threes, KAT has made exactly two in five of his last six. He's often capped there.
Best Bet: Scottie Barnes Over 36.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-120)
Same Game Parlay: Scottie Barnes Over 36.5 PRA, Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 Three-Pointers, Alternate Total – Over 227.5 (+280)
