The Toronto Raptors will have one final chance this month to take advantage of their home court when they host the New York Knicks on Sunday before going on a seven-game road trip.
The Raptors have dropped three straight after losing 106-104 to the injury-depleted Boston Celtics on Saturday to open a brief two-game homestand. They were 1-2 on their previous road trip, defeating the Knicks 123-121 in overtime on Monday.
The Raptors, who led by as many as 11 points in the first quarter Saturday, took a four-point advantage into the fourth against the Celtics, who were without Jayson Tatum (wrist).
The Knicks also have dropped three straight after losing 139-124 to the host Atlanta Hawks on Friday.
The Hawks opened the fourth quarter on a 20-4 surge as the Knicks showed how much they missed center Mitchell Robinson, who had thumb surgery on Thursday.
The Hawks had a 39-34 advantage in total rebounds against the Knicks.
Jericho Sims sat the bench for five consecutive games until Robinson was injured Wednesday in the first quarter of a home loss to the Washington Wizards, but he started on Friday and had 12 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes.
Backup center Isaiah Hartenstein remained on the second unit and had two points and six rebounds in 17 minutes.
The Raptors played without Fred VanVleet (rib soreness) on Saturday and lost O.G. Anunoby (ankle) in the third quarter. Nurse said VanVleet was questionable for Sunday, while Anunoby’s availability is unclear.
Pascal Siakam had 29 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for the Raptors on Saturday.
Toronto has won two of three from New York this season. Sunday’s meeting will be the final game between the Atlantic Division foes in the regular season.
