Raptors Vs Knicks

The upcoming matchup against the Toronto Raptors presents both advantages and challenges for the New York Knicks, particularly regarding shot attempts and free-throw opportunities. The game offers a promising scenario in terms of field goal attempts, as Toronto's home-court advantage has resulted in the opposing team’s starting shooting guards (SGs) registering the highest average number of field goal attempts per game in the NBA this season, standing at 15.6 attempts. This indicates that SGs often find themselves with a significant volume of opportunities to score when facing the Raptors on their home court, suggesting a potentially favorable situation for the Knicks' SG.

Additionally, the Toronto Raptors have played at the fourth-fastest pace in the league over the last five games, which tends to result in more possessions for the opposing team. This uptick in tempo should, in theory, offer the Knicks more opportunities to score and create favorable matchups for their players. A faster pace typically increases the total number of offensive possessions, and for a team like the Knicks, this could translate to more shots taken, more scoring chances, and an overall higher-paced game, providing a potential edge in terms of volume and shot-making opportunities.

On top of that, the Raptors have allowed opposing starting SGs to make an impact beyond the arc. When Toronto has played host to away teams, the starting SGs of those teams have managed to average 3.2 three-pointers per game, the second-highest mark in the NBA. This indicates that the Raptors may struggle to limit three-point shooting from opposing shooting guards when they are on the road, making this a positive matchup for the Knicks. The combination of an increased number of three-point attempts and the fact that the Raptors are somewhat vulnerable to three-point shooting presents a solid opportunity for the Knicks to exploit this weakness.

Another promising aspect of the matchup comes from the performance of opposing starting power forwards (PFs) against the Raptors. This season, starting PFs have averaged 4.9 three-point attempts per game when facing Toronto, ranking as the fifth-most in the league. This suggests that PFs are able to take advantage of shooting opportunities from beyond the arc against the Raptors, which could bode well for the Knicks’ frontcourt players. If New York’s starting PF can take and convert three-pointers at a high rate, it could force Toronto to adjust its defensive scheme, potentially opening up additional scoring avenues for the Knicks’ other players.

However, the matchup isn’t entirely advantageous across the board. When considering individual players, the Knicks may find that scoring against Jakob Poeltl in particular could be challenging. Poeltl, when playing at home and defending against starting centers (Cs), has proven to be a tough defender, with opposing starting Cs attempting only 10.0 field goals per game against him, ranking in the seventh percentile in terms of field goal attempts allowed. This could mean that Poeltl is an effective defender in the paint, limiting opportunities for opposing big men to score easily. The Knicks' center may find it harder to generate efficient scoring in this matchup, especially in terms of volume.

Additionally, the Raptors’ defense against free-throw attempts might make it challenging for the Knicks to get to the charity stripe. When opposing starting small forwards (SFs) face Toronto on the road this season, they have managed to average only 3.1 three-point attempts per game, the lowest in the NBA. This indicates that Toronto's defense is particularly effective at limiting three-point attempts from opposing small forwards, and by extension, it may be difficult for the Knicks to generate points through the three-point shot in this scenario. Given that this matchup ranks as one of the more difficult for shooting from beyond the arc, the Knicks will likely need to find alternative ways to generate scoring, either through mid-range shooting or attacking the basket.

Further complicating matters is the Raptors’ ability to limit opposing starting power forwards’ (PFs) access to free-throw attempts. Over the last 25 games, the starting PFs of opposing teams have only averaged 2.7 free-throw attempts per game against the Raptors, which is the second-lowest rate in the NBA. This trend suggests that Toronto’s defense is effective at preventing opposing PFs from drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line, making it difficult for players like the Knicks’ power forward to capitalize on this aspect of the game. As a result, New York’s PF may find themselves needing to adjust their offensive strategy in order to remain effective in this matchup.

When looking at other individual trends, the Knicks' point guards (PGs) may also face challenges in terms of offensive production against the Raptors. Over the last 20 games, opposing starting point guards have managed to score only 17.1 points per game against Toronto, ranking as the fourth-lowest mark in the NBA. This suggests that the Raptors have done an excellent job of limiting the scoring output of opposing PGs, and the Knicks' PG will likely face a tough test in generating points. Moreover, the trend of the Raptors limiting free-throw attempts is also evident when considering the performance of opposing starting PGs. Over the past five games, starting PGs have only averaged 3.3 free throws per game when playing against the Raptors, the fifth-fewest in the league. This trend could prove problematic for the Knicks, as it makes it more difficult to generate points from the free-throw line in this matchup.

On the other hand, the Raptors’ defense against starting small forwards has also been a bit of a mixed bag for opposing teams. While the Raptors have been vulnerable to three-point shooting from small forwards on the road, they have been much more effective in preventing opposing small forwards from getting to the free-throw line. This trend presents a challenge for the Knicks’ small forward, who may struggle to generate free-throw opportunities against Toronto’s defense.

In summary, the matchup against the Toronto Raptors offers both opportunities and obstacles for the New York Knicks. On the positive side, the Knicks may find success in terms of field goal attempts and three-point shooting, particularly with their starting SGs and PFs. Toronto's fast pace of play should also offer the Knicks more possessions, leading to a higher volume of shot attempts. However, the Raptors' defense against free-throw attempts presents a challenge, and Jakob Poeltl’s strong interior defense may limit the effectiveness of New York’s center. Additionally, the Raptors’ ability to limit scoring from opposing point guards and small forwards could make it more difficult for the Knicks to find consistent offensive production. Ultimately, the outcome of this matchup will likely depend on the Knicks’ ability to capitalize on the Raptors’ defensive weaknesses, particularly in terms of three-point shooting and offensive efficiency from their forwards.