Knicks at Raptors
The New York Knicks are the latest NBA team forced to move on without its top talent as they begin life without Kristaps Porzingis on Thursday with a visit to the Toronto Raptors. Porzingis, an All-Star for the first time this season, suffered an ACL tear in his left knee during Tuesday's 103-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, casting a dark cloud over a team that has been sinking in the standings since around Christmas.
"I think when K.P. went down, it kind of deflated us some," coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters after the loss. "He's a big part of the things we do." Indeed, Porzingis' absence deprives New York of its top scorer (22.7 points per game), second-leading rebounder (6.6) and the NBA's best shot-blocker (2.4), all of which will be sorely missed against the streaking Raptors, who have the top spot in the Eastern Conference in their sights. Toronto routed first-place Boston 111-91 on Tuesday to pull within a game of the Celtics and improve to 22-4 at home. The Knicks may need to lean heavily on forward Tim Hardaway Jr., who scored a career-high 38 points in a 108-100 win over Toronto at Madison Square Garden in the previous matchup back in November.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), Sportsnet One (New York)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (23-32): Center Enes Kanter has been a nice complement to Porzingis while averaging a double-double and recording 25 of them overall, but he is enduring a physical issue of his own and was scheduled to have oral surgery Wednesday to address a cut that continues to open during play. Kanter, who is averaging 17.2 points and 15.5 rebounds over his last six games, told reporters that he does not expect to miss much time, if any. Even with Porzingis and Kanter in the lineup, the Knicks are averaging only 87 points during their four-game losing streak.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (37-16): Kyle Lowry hit six 3-pointers en route to 23 points and C.J. Miles had 20 points in 15 minutes off the bench as Toronto lit up Boston - statistically the best defensive team in the East - while shooting 50 percent. "We said it's one of 82 — doesn't make your season, doesn't break your season," coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "We've got New York coming in Thursday night, it's just as important. We've got to maintain that focus and not get caught up in second place, first place, whatever. Maintain what we're trying to accomplish." Miles is part of a bench unit that produced 59 points against the Celtics and is averaging 54.7 through the first three games of the homestand.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Hardaway (leg), who is 9-for-46 from the floor and 1-for-20 from 3-point range over the last four games, is day-to-day.
2. Raptors SG DeMar DeRozan is averaging 14 points - more than 10 below his season average - on 11-of-31 shooting in the last two contests.
3. The Knicks are 1-6 without Porzingis this season.