The New York Knicks (16-7), surging with a four-game win streak and the East’s top defense, take on the Toronto Raptors (15-10) in a tense NBA Cup quarterfinal at Scotiabank Arena. This matchup revives an Atlantic Division rivalry where New York has won the last eight head-to-heads, but Toronto’s home toughness (7-5 record) and rebounding prowess (No. 3 in offensive rebounds) could make it gritty. The Knicks’ balanced attack (No. 5 in offensive rating) faces a Raptors squad desperate to snap a two-game skid, with injuries testing both benches. Victory sends the winner to Las Vegas semifinals—brace for Brunson’s wizardry against Toronto’s length.
Game Details
Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN / NBA TV Canada
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home Record | Road Record | Atlantic Division Stand |
| New York Knicks | 16-7 | 10-2 | 6-5 | 5-1 |
| Toronto Raptors | 15-10 | 7-5 | 8-5 | 3-3 |
New York leads the East in net rating (+8.1), excelling in forced turnovers (No. 4, 15.2 per game). Toronto ranks 9th in pace but 20th in three-point percentage (34.8%), relying on paint scoring (52.3% of points).
Injury Report
Frontcourt depth is a concern for both, with Toronto hit harder on the wings.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Estimated Return |
| New York Knicks | OG Anunoby | SF | Questionable | Right elbow tendinitis | December 9 |
| Jericho Sims | C | Out | Right shoulder surgery | January 2026 | |
| Cameron Payne | PG | Probable | Left ankle sprain | December 9 | |
| Miles McBride | PG | Out | Right knee soreness | December 16 | |
| Toronto Raptors | Scottie Barnes | SF | Doubtful | Right ankle sprain | December 10 |
| Jakob Poeltl | C | Probable | Left wrist contusion | December 9 | |
| Gradey Dick | SG | Out | Right hamstring strain | December 23 | |
| Brandon Miller | SF | Out | Left quad strain | December 18 |
Anunoby’s potential return (15.8 PPG, lockdown D) bolsters Knicks’ versatility; without him, Bridges sees more usage. Barnes’ doubtful tag (19.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG) is devastating for Toronto, elevating Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett’s loads.
Recent Team Forms
The Knicks are rolling, winners of seven of eight, with suffocating D (under 100 points allowed in four straight). Toronto’s skid exposes shooting woes, though they’ve covered in three of five.
New York Knicks Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 7 | @ BKN | W 110-98 | Brunson: 32 PTS, 8 AST; 14-3 run seals it |
| Dec. 5 | vs. DET | W 124-117 | Towns: 28 PTS, 12 REB; 15 made 3s |
| Dec. 3 | @ PHI | W 102-99 | Bridges: 25 PTS; Clutch stops on Embiid |
| Dec. 1 | vs. CHI | W 108-105 | Brunson triple-double threat; OT win |
| Nov. 29 | @ TOR | W 112-104 | Dominant road W; Forced 16 TOs |
Form: 5-0 (ATS: 4-1). Knicks averaging 111.6 PPG, holding foes to 102.4.
Toronto Raptors Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 7 | vs. IND | L 118-115 | Quickley: 27 PTS; Late collapse, 12 TOs |
| Dec. 5 | @ BOS | L 112-108 | Barrett: 24 PTS; Competitive, but 38% FG |
| Dec. 3 | vs. CLE | W 120-116 | Poeltl: 18 PTS, 14 REB; Barnes hobbled |
| Dec. 1 | @ WAS | W 130-118 | Ingram: 35 PTS; Hot start, 52% 3PT |
| Nov. 29 | vs. NYK | L 112-104 | Quickley: 22 PTS; Knicks control boards |
Form: 2-3 (ATS: 3-2). Raptors 4-1 SU in last five home games but unders in three.
Series History
New York has flipped the script in recent years, owning a 9-1 streak against Toronto dating back to 2023. All-time, Knicks lead 114-102, but the Raps held sway pre-2023.
All-Time Regular Season: Knicks lead 114-102 (52.8% win rate)
Last 10 Meetings: Knicks 9-1
Recent Results:
Nov. 29, 2025: Knicks 112-104 (Raptors; Brunson: 30 PTS)
Mar. 28, 2025: Knicks 105-98 (Raptors)
Feb. 3, 2025: Knicks 118-110 (Raptors)
Dec. 21, 2024: Knicks 98-91 (Raptors; low-scoring grind)
Nov. 12, 2024: Raptors 123-116 (Knicks; Toronto’s last win)
Series averages 210.8 points, with unders in 7 of last 10. Knicks are 6-2 ATS in last eight road vs. Toronto.
Key Player Matchups
Star guards and versatile forwards will dictate tempo in this physical affair.
Jalen Brunson (NYK, 27.4 PPG, 6.7 APG) vs. Dennis Schröder (TOR, 17.2 PPG): Brunson owns this series (31.2 PPG in last five vs. TOR), dissecting traps with step-backs. Schröder’s pesky D (1.5 SPG) and speed could force TOs, but without Barnes, he’ll guard bigger wings. Edge: Knicks—Brunson’s 51% FG vs. Raps.
Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK, 24.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG) vs. Jakob Poeltl (TOR, 12.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG): Towns’ stretch-five game (2.1 3PM) yanks Poeltl out, opening lanes for Brunson. Poeltl’s screen-setting and boards (No. 1 in def. REB%) challenge KAT’s positioning. Edge: Knicks if Towns exploits mismatches.
Mikal Bridges (NYK, 18.9 PPG, 4.1 SPG) vs. RJ Barrett (TOR, 20.3 PPG): Bridges’ elite perimeter D (holding guards to 38% FG) bottles Barrett’s drives, who averages 22.1 vs. NYK but shoots 41% lately. Barrett’s length aids switches. Edge: Toss-up; Bridges + Bridges’ rebounding tips scales.
Bench Impact: Immanuel Quickley (TOR, 18.5 PPG off bench) vs. Knicks’ Reserves: Quickley’s scoring punch (25.3% usage) tests New York’s second unit (outscores foes by 6.1 PPG), but Payne’s probable return evens playmaking.
Betting Trends
Spread: New York 9-4 ATS as road favorites; Toronto 6-4 ATS at home under 5-point dogs.
Total: 218.5 (O/U -110). Unders in 8 of Knicks’ last 10 road (avg. 209.2 points); overs in 5 of Toronto’s last 7 home.
Other Trends:
Knicks: 12-9-2 ATS overall; 8-2 SU in last 10.
Raptors: 10-15 ATS; Under in 6 of last 8 vs. Knicks.
Game Odds
New York Knicks – 5.5
Toronto Raptors 225.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 8, 2025
