Knicks vs. Raptors prediction, odds, line: 2022 NBA picks, Jan. 2 best bets from model on 48-24 run

The New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors square off in an Eastern Conference clash on Sunday. The afternoon tilt is the first game of 2022 for both teams. The Knicks are 17-19 this season, with the Raptors bringing a 15-17 record into the matchup. Kemba Walker (knee), Derrick Rose (ankle), Danuel House (finger), Julius Randle (protocols), Nerlens Noel (protocols) and Mitchell Robinson (protocols) are out for New York, with Evan Fournier (ankle) listed as questionable. Scottie Barnes (knee) is listed as probable for Toronto, with Goran Dragic (not with team) ruled out.

Tip-off is at 3:30 p.m. ET in Toronto. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Raptors as eight-point home favorites, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 208.5 in the latest Knicks vs. Raptors odds. Before you make any Raptors vs. Knicks picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model. 

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 11 of the 2021-22 NBA season on a stunning 48-24 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning almost $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Knicks vs. Raptors and revealed its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Raptors vs. Knicks:

• Knicks vs. Raptors spread: Raptors -8
• Knicks vs. Raptors over-under: 208.5 points
• Knicks vs. Raptors money line: Raptors -340, Knicks +270
• NYK: The Knicks are 10-8 against the spread in road games
• TOR: The Raptors are 8-10 against the spread in home games

Why the Knicks can cover

New York’s principle strength is its ability to contest shots. The Knicks are in the top three of the NBA in field goal percentage allowed (43.7 percent) and two-point percentage allowed (50.3 percent), with the No. 3 mark in points allowed in the paint at only 41.9 per game. New York is also in the top 10 of the NBA in free throw attempts allowed (19.9 per game), second-chance points allowed (12.3 per game) and blocked shots (5.3 per game). Toronto is No. 24 in the NBA in field goal percentage on offense and No. 27 in both free throw attempts and assists. 

On the other end, New York is excellent on the offensive glass, securing 28 percent of missed shots and averaging 14.3 second-chance points per game. The Knicks are above-average in 3-point accuracy (35.6 percent) and free throw attempts (21.0 per game), and New York commits only 13.4 turnovers per contest this season.

Why the Raptors can cover

Toronto is strong on offense, scoring 109.9 points per 100 possessions, and offensive rebounding is a big part of that success. The Raptors are securing 32.0 percent of available rebounds on the offensive glass, No. 2 in the NBA, and Toronto is producing 16.0 second-chance points per game. The Raptors also take care of the ball well, committing only 12.5 turnovers per game, and Toronto is No. 3 in the NBA in fast break points, averaging 16.0 per contest. 

New York is a bottom-five team in turnover creation on defense, and the Raptors also have defensive keys that could shine against the Knicks. Toronto is No. 2 in the NBA in turnovers created with 16.0 per game, and the Raptors are No. 3 in producing 9.1 steals per game. The Raptors are also elite in preventing points in the paint and fast break points, with the Knicks landing in the bottom five of the NBA in field goal percentage, two-point percentage and assists on offense.

How to make Raptors vs. Knicks picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 203 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 60 percent of simulations. You can only get the model’s NBA picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Knicks vs. Raptors? And which side of the spread hits in well over 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.