The Toronto Raptors knew that to defeat the Knicks, they would need to control New York’s best player, Kristaps Porzingis. The home team did that beyond anyone’s wildest expectations, holding the alleged unicorn to a season-low 13 points. Despite letting the Knicks off the canvas for a chunk of the second half, the Raptors clamped down late in Q4. They turned defense into offense time and again, and left the outcome in no doubt.
The Knicks backcourt simply can’t compare to the Raptors’. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan carved up the overmatched Jarrett Jack, Courtney Lee and lottery-pick Frank Ntilikina (sure, I’ll give them 3 players!