Game Day: Raptors @ Knicks
Posted: Apr 10, 2016
Matt Tierney - Raptors.com
Toronto (53-26) is in the Big Apple tonight to take on the Knicks (32-48) at Madison Square Garden. The Raptors managed to bounce back Friday night, recording a win over Indiana at Air Canada Centre. New York returns home after defeating the last-place Sixers to snap a mini two-game losing streak.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Jerian Grant – New York’s rookie point guard has gotten an opportunity in the starting lineup recently with Jose Calderon having missed four in a row due to a quad injury. Over those four games, Grant has averaged 13 points including a most recent 16 point, six assist, five rebound performance in a win over Philadelphia. If Calderon is unable to go again tonight, look for Grant to continue his run as a starter.
Delon Wright– Not only is Joseph’s recent play noteworthy, but so is his new look as he sports a protective face mask compliments of an errant Jonas Valanciunas elbow a few games ago. The head gear seemed to not affect the Pickering native when he filled in admirably Friday night for a resting Kyle Lowry. Joseph recorded 18 points and finished one assist shy of a double-double.
Raptors-New York Knicks: Sunday game preview
The Knicks beat the Sixers on Friday and need to win their last two games to double last season’s win total.
By: Doug Smith Sports Reporter, Published on Sat Apr 09 2016
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m.
TV: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 590 The Fan
Probable starters:Toronto — Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Norm Powell, Jason Thompson, Jonas Valanciunas. New York — Jerami Grant, Sasha Vujacic, Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Williams, Robin Lopez.
Key matchup:Norm Powell vs. Carmelo Anthony.
There have been times when the Raptors have gone to James Johnson to guard Anthony, but rookie Powell has been playing so well he should get a shot at the job. And if DeMarre Carroll is able to go, Anthony is going to be his guy.
Need to know: There’s a real possibility a sore shoulder has ended the season of Knicks impressive rookie Kristaps Porzingis, and ex-Raptor Jose Calderon is on the shelf as well … Luis Scola (rest) and Delon Wright (hip pointer) did not make the trip with the Raptors . . . The Raptors are trying to go 12-2 against Atlantic Division foes with games against Philadelphia and Brooklyn coming to end the season . . . The Knicks beat the Sixers on Friday and need to win their last two games to double last season’s win total … Anthony leads New York in points, rebounds and assists.
Up next: Tuesday vs. Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.