Raptors vs. Knicks Game Thread: Pre-game updates, TV info and more

The NBA is buzzing just prior to the tip of the Raptors and Knicks game, thanks to a blockbuster trade sending Jimmy Butler to an in-division rival of both teams — the Philadelphia 76ers. The saga is finally over, but his time as an in-house threat has just begun. Nick Nurse has certainly taken notice, and is happy to the competition level increase:

To some Raptors related news — C.J. Miles is set to return to the lineup after a hip injury kept him out of the Sacramento tilt.

Overall, our hopes are that the Raptors will be focused on today’s game more than the breaking news outside the organization. They’ll be taking on a rebuilding Knicks team who, as Sean Woodley notes, may be tanking “perfectly.”

Unlike other tanking teams, David Fizdale has decided to stock up on interesting players in a sort of in-season open workout. That gives deserving players, such as high-flying guard Allonzo Trier, a chance to secure a future with the team. This is a method very much unlike that of the aforementioned Sixers who seemed to sign anyone — disregarding roster building — in an effort to be as bad as possible.

With that said, we may see a hungry and sneakily dangerous Knicks team this afternoon. For more information on who we’ll be seeing and what we can expect, head on over to Satbir Singh’s preview of this afternoon’s game at Scotiabank Arena.

Where to Watch:

Sportsnet One, 3 PM ET

Lineups:

Toronto – Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka

New York – Tim Hardaway Jr., Frank Ntilikina, Damyean Dotson, Noah Vonleh, Mitchell Robinson

Injuries:

Toronto – Norman Powell (shoulder – OUT), C.J. Miles (right hip – likely)

New York – Lance Thomas (knee – OUT), Emmanuel Mudiay (ankle – questionable), Kristaps Porzingis (knee – OUT), Courtney Lee (neck – OUT)