Raptors
Knicks Survive Raptors' 41-Point Fourth to Win 122-120 at MSG
The Knicks held off a late Raptors push to win 122-120 in a preseason rematch at Madison Square Garden. New York built a double-digit cushion behind its bench and paint scoring, then watched Toronto cut it to two points behind a 41-point fourth quarter. Both teams are still in preseason, with no record on the line, but it was a sharp turnaround for Toronto after an 148-98 loss to the Knicks just two days earlier.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 4 d ago01The story of the nightA Fourth-Quarter ScareNew York led by 3 after the first quarter (35-32), by 5 at the half (63-58), and by 8 through three (87-79).
New York led by 3 after the first quarter (35-32), by 5 at the half (63-58), and by 8 through three (87-79). The Raptors then outscored the Knicks 41-35 in the fourth to pull within 2 at the final buzzer, 122-120. Toronto's biggest lead all game was 6 points; New York's was 10. Both teams had 6 lead changes, showing how tight it stayed before the Knicks' cushion nearly evaporated in the final frame.
02Barnes and Brunson Lead the WayScottie Barnes led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three, adding 4 blocks.
Scottie Barnes led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three, adding 4 blocks. RJ Barrett scored 21 and Immanuel Quickley added 18 with 7 assists for Toronto. Jalen Brunson topped the Knicks with 20 points and 7 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns nearly posted a triple-double with 13 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists. Off the bench, Andre Drummond (14 points, 8 rebounds) and Landry Shamet (13 points) powered New York's reserves.
03Bench and the Paint Made the DifferenceThe Knicks won this game inside and off their bench.
The Knicks won this game inside and off their bench. New York outscored Toronto 56-42 in the paint and 63-45 off the bench, both significant edges. Toronto fought back with its own advantages: 18 fast-break points to New York's 8, 10 blocks to 3, and 10 steals to 9, while forcing 19 Knicks turnovers into 20 points off turnovers. But the paint and bench gaps were too much for Toronto's hustle numbers to overcome.
04Shooting and TurnoversToronto actually shot better from the field, 50.6% (40-of-79) to New York's 47.8% (43-of-90), and made 27-of-38 free…
Toronto actually shot better from the field, 50.6% (40-of-79) to New York's 47.8% (43-of-90), and made 27-of-38 free throws to the Knicks' 21-of-27. New York was more careful with the ball, turning it over 19 times to Toronto's 20, and got 25 points off turnovers compared to the Knicks' 20. Toronto's 13-of-35 from three and New York's 15-of-42 were both inefficient, leaving free throws and paint touches as the bigger separators.
05What It MeansThis is preseason, so neither team's record changes, but the result flips the script from two days earlier, when…
This is preseason, so neither team's record changes, but the result flips the script from two days earlier, when Toronto blew out New York 148-98. The Raptors showed they can push a tighter game to the final minutes even after a lopsided result against the same opponent. For the Knicks, the win confirms their bench depth, led by Drummond and Shamet, can carry stretches when starters like Mikal Bridges (14 points, -17) struggle to impact the score.
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