New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors: Start time, lineups, injuries, and more
The Toronto Raptors travel to New York City for their final game of the season to take on the New York Knicks in their new uniform. Both teams have completely changed their looks; in fact, this game will feel like the first time they’ve faced off this season.
The O.G. Anunoby trade for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley seems to have pleased both teams, including the coaches, as the new players complement their new teams’ coaching philosophies. With a premier defender as versatile as this one who can mask the shortcomings of his main players, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau must be grinning nonstop since the trade. Conversely, coach Darko Rajakovic acquired two outstanding players who barely fit the playing style he was attempting to implement.
This is the Raptors’ first meeting with O.G. Anunoby. We are aware that coach Thibodeau will try to play him as close to 48 minutes as possible, assuming he avoids foul trouble. The Anunoby storyline that interests me the most is the one about his defensive assignment for tonight’s match. Most likely Scottie Barnes, and every possession will be watched intently for that matchup. But Barnes doesn’t appear to be bothered by the matchup:
Barrett and Quickley should play with more vigor because this will be their first time playing in New York City in a different uniform. Barrett was always the odd man out in New York with three lefties and a throwback, 1990s offense, but since the trade, Barrett’s play has been rejuvenated by coach Rajakovic’s everybody eats offense. The Knicks giving up on Quickley was arguably the most perplexing aspect of this trade, but it’s not like this is the team’s first strange decision.
Of course, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn, the cornerstones of Rajakovic’s bench mob, will also be visible, if only for the warmups. While Achiuwa is making every effort to keep himself out of the starting lineup, Flynn hasn’t been receiving the same affection from coach Thibodeau.
The Raptors will be put to the test both in the paint and at the offensive end of the court without Jakob Poeltl. Without Anunoby, their defense has been, at best, shaky. To avoid foul trouble, Jontay Porter must perform better; if not, Thaddeus Young must apply WD-40 to his joints before tonight’s game. In addition, earlier today Markquis Nowell, who was a member of the Raptors 905, suffered a hamstring injury.
Of course, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn, the cornerstones of Rajakovic’s bench mob, will also be visible, if only for the warmups. While Achiuwa is making every effort to keep himself out of the starting lineup, Flynn hasn’t been receiving the same affection from coach Thibodeau.
The Raptors will be put to the test both in the paint and at the offensive end of the court without Jakob Poeltl. Without Anunoby, their defense has been, at best, shaky. To avoid foul trouble, Jontay Porter must perform better; if not, Thaddeus Young must apply WD-40 to his joints before tonight’s game. In addition, earlier today Markquis Nowell, who was a member of the Raptors 905, suffered a hamstring injury.
Josh Hart’s availability for tonight’s game is uncertain due to a knee injury, and Michell Robinson is out for the Knicks for the duration of the season. Since it’s the Washington Wizards, Hart might be playing load management, but he did miss their previous game against them. However, coach Thibodeau would say that Hart ought to play:
Despite the small sample size, Scottie Barnes has performed admirably as the team’s new face following the Pascal Siakam trade. In the two games he’s played, he’s averaging 25.5 points, but with more playing time came more erratic plays, resulting in an average of 5.5 turnovers. Barnes is going through a period of adjustment like everyone else, but at least he’s not backtracking from the task. But with Anunoby probably
Bruce Brown, who was recently acquired, had a fantastic debut the other night against the Chicago Bulls, scoring 15 points and pulling down seven rebounds on 7 of 10 shots. He’s one of those players who complements someone like Barnes well and fits coach Rajakovic’s style of play.
The Raptors, who are ten games behind, could use a victory tonight.500, 2.5 matches behind the final play-in position. They have lost five of their last six games, despite playing a lot of games lately, with several of those matches taking place against the teams they need to pass in the standings.
