The Toronto Raptors surprised many observers with the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft in selecting Florida State freshman Scottie Barnes over Gonzaga freshman Jalen Suggs, who was rated higher by most scouts. The Raptors have been proven right so far on Barnes, but the Rookie of the Year candidate is not expected to play tonight when Toronto visits the Knicks, who may see the season debut of center Nerlens Noel. New York was -6 but is now -7 at Caesars Sportsbook.
The Barnes injury somewhat came out of nowhere as he wasn't listed on the injury report on Sunday but has since been downgraded to doubtful with a right thumb sprain suffered in Saturday's 97-94 win over Indiana. Barnes was fabulous in the game with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Barnes has led the team in scoring in four of seven games, scored 20+ points three times and posted two double-doubles. Overall, he's averaging 18.1 points and 8.9 rebounds, leading all rookies in scoring and second in field-goal percentage (.551). Barnes is a +400 second-favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year behind Houston's Jalen Green (+300), the No. 2 overall pick.
Toronto remains without All-Star forward Pascal Siakam as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery and is probably two weeks from making his season debut.
New York is off to a 5-1 start, with that lone loss somehow coming at home to awful Orlando. This game probably will matter a bit more to young Knicks forward RJ Barrett as he's from Toronto. Barrett had a career-high 35 points in New York's 123-117 win over New Orleans on Saturday.
Noel has yet to play this season with a sore left knee and is officially questionable for Monday; he has been listed that way the past three games. Noel doesn't offer much offensively but averaged 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in about 24 minutes per game last year.
I was completely unaware that Monday is the 75th anniversary of the league's first regular-season game. That was between the Knicks and Toronto Huskies on Nov. 1, 1946 in Toronto. New York won 68-66. The Raptors were 1-2 vs. New York last year and have dropped their past two at Madison Square Garden.
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