NY Knicks vs Toronto Raptors Prediction and Picks - December 9, 2025
Tuesday evening on the NBA hardwood, and we have a New York Knicks vs Toronto Raptors prediction locked and loaded for you in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. The Knicks enter this contest off a 106-100 home win over the Magic to improve to 16-7 on the year. The Raptors are off a 121-113 home loss to the Celtics, and they are now 15-10 on the season. The Knicks have won the last nine games in this series. Read on to see our Knicks vs Raptors prediction.
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Defense Leads Knicks Over Magic
The Knicks’ most recent game was a 106–100 win over the Orlando Magic on December 7, where Jalen Brunson poured in 30 points with nine assists, Josh Hart added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and OG Anunoby chipped in 21 points. That victory extended New York’s winning streak to three and pushed them to 16–7 overall, showing how well they’ve been able to balance scoring depth with defensive toughness.
Offensively, New York has been one of the most efficient teams in the league, averaging 120.7 points per game (5th) while shooting 47.4% from the field (12th) and 37.5% from three (5th). Brunson has been the centerpiece, scoring nearly 28 points per game, while Hart and Anunoby provide balance with rebounding and perimeter shooting. The Knicks also rank 8th in free‑throw percentage (80.7%) and 4th in rebounds (46.0 per game), giving them second‑chance opportunities that fuel their attack.
Defensively, the Knicks allow just 112.4 points per game (5th) and hold opponents to 46.1% shooting (7th). They’ve been strong on the glass, ranking 5th in rebounds allowed (41.0), and their ability to control possessions has been key in their recent surge. Karl‑Anthony Towns missed the Magic game with calf tightness, but even without him, New York’s depth and defensive structure carried them through. With Brunson leading the charge and the team playing some of its best basketball, the Knicks look poised to keep momentum rolling into Toronto.
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Raptors Are Struggling
The Raptors’ most recent game was a 121–113 loss to the Boston Celtics on December 7, where Brandon Ingram scored 30 points and Scottie Barnes added 18 points with 11 rebounds, but Toronto dropped its third straight game. That defeat left them at 15–10 overall and highlighted how much they’ve struggled to close out games against top competition.
Offensively, Toronto averages 116.4 points per game (18th) while shooting 48.6% from the field (6th), showing efficiency but lacking consistency from deep (36.5% from three, 13th). Ingram has been the focal point, averaging over 20 points per game, while Barnes provides versatility as a scorer and rebounder. Immanuel Quickley has also been a spark, but injuries have thinned the rotation, with RJ Barrett (knee) ruled out and Jamison Battle (ankle) questionable.
Defensively, the Raptors allow 113.8 points per game (8th) and excel at guarding the perimeter, holding opponents to 33.3% from three (3rd). They’ve been solid on the boards (43.2 rebounds per game, 13th) and rank 10th in opponent FG% (46.4), but lapses in transition defense have hurt them during their losing streak. With three straight losses and facing a Knicks team riding momentum, Toronto will need Barnes and Ingram to carry the load while tightening up defensively to stay competitive in this NBA Cup quarterfinal.
New York Knicks vs Toronto Raptors Pick
Knicks vs Raptors Spread Pick
- Knicks -4.5 (5 Units)
The Knicks look like the right side at -4.5 given how well they’ve been playing and the way they closed out Orlando in their 106–100 win on December 7. Jalen Brunson continues to be the difference-maker, dropping 30 points with nine assists, while OG Anunoby and Josh Hart provided balance on both ends. New York ranks 5th in scoring at 120.7 points per game and shoots 37.5% from three (5th), giving them the kind of offensive efficiency that travels. Even without Karl-Anthony Towns, who sat out with a calf issue, the Knicks showed their depth and ability to grind out wins, and their defense remains top‑five in points allowed (112.4 per game), making them one of the most complete teams in the East.
Toronto, meanwhile, is coming off a 121–113 loss to Boston on December 7, their third straight defeat, and the cracks are starting to show. Brandon Ingram scored 30 points and Scottie Barnes added 18 with 11 rebounds, but the Raptors couldn’t keep pace with the Celtics’ shot-making. Toronto averages 116.4 points per game (18th) and shoots well from the field (48.6%, 6th), but their perimeter defense will be tested against a Knicks team that thrives from deep. The Raptors have been strong guarding the three (33.3% allowed, 3rd), yet their recent skid highlights issues closing games against elite competition. With New York riding momentum and Brunson in peak form, laying the short number with the Knicks feels justified.
Knicks vs Raptors Over/Under Pick
- Under 231.5 (4 Units)
The Under 231.5 looks like the stronger angle in Knicks–Raptors because both teams lean on defense and have shown they can slow the pace against quality opponents. New York just beat Orlando 106–100 on December 7, holding the Magic under 42% shooting, and they rank 5th in points allowed (112.4) while limiting opponents to 46.1% from the field (7th). Toronto, despite dropping three straight, including a 121–113 loss to Boston on December 7, still sits 8th in points allowed (113.8) and is elite guarding the perimeter, holding opponents to 33.3% from three (3rd). The Knicks average 120.7 points (5th), but they’re also comfortable grinding games down with rebounding and half‑court execution, while the Raptors’ offense has been streaky at 116.4 points (18th). With both defenses ranked top‑10 and recent results showing controlled scoring totals, the Under 231.5 is well supported.
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