NBA Basketball
2025-12-09 - New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball
Tuesday 9th December 2025 - Scheduled 8:30pm
1:30am (British Time)
Preview
The big question around this NBA Cup Quarter Final has yet to be answered one way or another, although the feeling is that the New York Knicks (16-7) will have some positive news.
Karl-Anthony Towns has been a big part of the early successes enjoyed by the New York Knicks, but he was forced to miss his first game of the season this past weekend. He was in practice on Monday, so the belief is that he will suit up, although the Knicks may also be a little cautious around a player who has been rumoured to be a huge part of any trade discussions New York will have with Milwaukee around Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Despite that distraction, Towns has made it clear how much enjoys being a Knick and his performances have certainly given the team food for thought.
Having him back would bolster a team that has just seen OG Anunoby back in action after a hamstring complaint and the Knicks have won seven of the last eight games played, including the last three in a row. A number of those wins have been in dominant fashion and New York are rightly set as the favourites against a team that has not beaten them in a couple of years.
The last time the Toronto Raptors (15-10) beat the Knicks was in January 2023 and they have lost all nine games played against New York since then. That includes a blowout loss at Madison Square Garden at the end of November, which is part of a run in which Toronto have lost five of the last six games.
Toronto are hosting this game, which will give them an opportunity considering the New York Offensive numbers have not been the same on the road as they have at home. However, the Knicks have really been knuckling down on the Defensive side of the court during this positive run and they may have enough to keep the Raptors at arm's length in this big game.
Positive signs from the three point arc can only give New York a further edge in this contest and they look ready to continue the recent dominance of this rival.
Covering the spread will not be easy on the road against a talented Raptors team that will be producing plenty of Defensive intensity of their own, but New York can do enough to edge past the number.
Prediction
Lay the points with the road favourite.
The Pick :
Toronto Raptors 105-111 New York Knicks
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back New York Knicks - 4.5 Points at -110 with Bookmaker.eu
