Game Thread: Toronto Raptors @ New York Knicks

It’s a matinee special between two teams on winning streaks. Can the Raptors resume their dominance at MSG? Let’s watch.

With everyone in the Eastern Conference deciding to go on a win streak at the same time (except the Magic, aww), today we get a matchup between two of the longest ones. The host Knicks have won eight in a row; owners of the four seed, they’ve had an incredible resurgence behind Julius Randle and a blossoming RJ Barrett. The visiting Raptors have won four straight, their most recent win standing as the best of the bench against Brooklyn.

We’ll get to see them play at the Raptors on CBC Memorial Start Time of 1 p.m. too, which I have a special liking for. My first Raptors game wasn’t in Toronto, but at MSG in the middle of the afternoon — so these games always have a bit of pop for me.

On the lineup front, Rodney Hood has had an up-and-down morning already. Declared to be in the lineup during Nick Nurse’s availability, he was pulled after his pre-game workout, obviously still feeling the effects of a knee injury.

Hood joins Chris Boucher and Paul Watson on the out list. Otherwise, no rest and no new bad news to report (which is good news in itself).

For more on the matchup, check out the full preview from JD Quirante. Here’s the details.

Where to Watch

Sportsnet, 1 PM ET

Lineups

Toronto — Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Khem Birch

New York — Elfrid Payton, Reggie Bullock, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Nerlens Noel

Injuries

Toronto — Rodney Hood (knee — OUT), Chris Boucher (knee — OUT), Jalen Harris (hip — OUT), Paul Watson (knee — OUT)

New York — Alec Burks (health and safety protocols — OUT), Mitchell Robinson (foot — OUT)