NBA: Raptors end skid while handing Knicks fourth straight loss
Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates in overtime against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 16, 2023 in New York City. The Toronto Raptors defeated the New York Knicks 123-121 in overtime. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP
Fred VanVleet scored 28 points and the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting New York Knicks 125-116 on Sunday.
Gary Trent Jr. and Pascal Siakam each added 24 points for the Raptors, who ended a three-game losing streak.
Article continues after this advertisementScottie Barnes added 19 points for the Raptors, who won three of four games against the Knicks this season. Chris Boucher added 14 points and Precious Achiuwa had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
2️⃣3️⃣ PTS for #23 pic.twitter.com/tvLvKE0COw
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 23, 2023
RJ Barrett scored 30 points for the Knicks, who have lost four straight. Julius Randle added 23 points and 19 rebounds for New York, Jalen Brunson scored 21 points, Obi Toppin scored 14 and Jericho Sims contributed 10.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Raptors led by as many as 17 points during the first quarter, but the game was tied entering the fourth.
Toronto went on an 11-0 run capped by Trent’s dunk to lead 99-88 with 8:50 left in the fourth quarter. Trent’s 3-pointer bumped the margin to 14 with 5:17 to go, and Boucher’s layup increased the lead to 16 with 4:45 remaining.
Brunson’s layup cut the lead to eight with 1:30 to play. VanVleet responded with a 3-pointer.
With VanVleet scoring 14 points, Toronto led 37-22 after one quarter.
Barrett’s jumper trimmed the margin to five with 2:44 remaining in the first half. Toronto scored the next four points and held on to lead 62-53 at halftime.
VanVleet had 18 points as Toronto shot 51.2 percent (22-for-43) from the field in the first half. Barrett had 15 points in the first half while the Knicks shot 45 percent (18-for-40) from the field.
Toronto opened the third-quarter scoring with consecutive 3-pointers from Siakam and Trent, but New York charged back. Evan Fournier’s 3-pointer brought the Knicks back to within two points with 2:22 to play in the frame.
Brunson’s 3-pointer then gave the Knicks an 84-83 lead with 1:26 remaining in the third. The lead reached three on Randle’s two free throws, but Siakam answered with a 3-pointer and the game was tied at 86 after three quarters.
O.G. Anunoby (ankle) was out for the Raptors.
The Knicks were without Mitchell Robinson (thumb) and Immanuel Quickley (knee).
