Toronto Raptors @ New York Knicks - December 23, 2024

As I lace up my lucky sneakers and get ready for tonight’s showdown between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors, I can feel that familiar rush in the air. Betting on NBA games is like riding a rollercoaster—thrilling, unpredictable, and often leaving you breathless. Tonight, though, I’m feeling particularly confident about the Knicks extending their winning streak.

The oddsmakers have set the stage with the Knicks favored at -14.5 points. With New York coming off a solid 104-93 victory against the Pelicans—where they not only won but also covered as 7.5-point favorites—the momentum is undeniable. They’ve been rolling lately, winning three straight games and boasting an impressive record of 18-10 SU (straight up). Not to mention their recent success against the spread (6-3 in their last nine), it feels like they’re hitting their stride just when it matters most.

On the flip side, we have a struggling Raptors team that has lost seven straight games and sits at a dismal 7-22 SU. Their last outing ended with a tight loss against the Rockets—114-110—but they managed to cover as +9-point underdogs. Unfortunately for them, things don’t seem to be getting better anytime soon; they’re 0-5 SU in their last five contests. You’ve got to wonder how much longer they can hold out before breaking out of this funk.

When we break down both teams statistically, it’s evident that New York holds an edge offensively with an average of 117 points per game on nearly 50% shooting from the field compared to Toronto’s 111 points on about 46%. The Knicks are also shooting well from downtown at over 39%, which could spell trouble for a Raptors defense that’s allowing far too many open looks.

Defensively, while both teams have had their ups and downs this season, Toronto’s struggles stand out more glaringly: they commit over 22 fouls per game! That kind of discipline—or lack thereof—will likely play right into New York’s hands at Madison Square Garden, where free throws can pile up quickly if Toronto doesn’t tighten its grip.

Now let’s talk totals—this matchup opened at an Over/Under of 228 points. Given both teams’ current form and scoring capabilities, combined with New York’s tendency to push offensive pressure while taking advantage of defensive lapses from Toronto, I’m leaning towards betting on the Over here.

So what am I predicting? A definitive Knicks win tonight—and yes, they’ll cover that hefty spread too! If you’re looking for value tonight and want to ride this wave of confidence with me: bet on NYK -14.5 and take a shot at the Over as well. Let’s see if we can conjure some good fortune because after all these years in this game, I’ve learned one thing: sometimes superstitions aren’t just nonsense; they might just be your ticket to victory!