Blame Canada – Toronto Raptors end another New York Knicks winning streak

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RJ Barrett had well over a tenth of a second to work with, but more Trent Tucker-esque heroics on Martin Luther King Jr.’s day weren’t in the cards for the New York Knicks.

Barrett’s late-game heroism, closing settlement with an end-to-end slam dunk that forced an extra five minutes just delayed the misery of the Metropolitan vacation: Behind 33 points for Fred VanVlett, the Toronto Raptors won their second victory at Madison Square Garden this season, set to claim a 123-121 win with them across the northern border.

The Toronto native Barrett did his part for the Knicks, scoring 32 points alongside 26 for Jalen Brunson. Julius Randle’s regular antics (his 11th straight double-double to 21 points and 15 rebounds) was two assists away from a triple-double. The Knicks (25-20) led up to 10 in the second half and Toronto didn’t take its first lead in the final 24 minutes until the final stages of regulation.

A solid defensive effort paved the way for Toronto’s comeback, which earned 12 blocks and allowed just 51 points in the second half. VanVleet has had several solid games against the Knicks this year, averaging 29.7 in three games this year.

The Knicks will have the opportunity to split the four-game series against their Atlantic Division rivals over the weekend as they travel to Scotiabank Arena on Sunday night. In the meantime, another familiar opponent awaits them in their next contest on Wednesday when the Washington Wizards (whom they previously topped on Friday) visit Manhattan (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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