The Toronto Raptors have seen the vibes fall off a cliff in the last few games, as they have blown multiple winnable games against injured teams. Facing off against the rival New York Knicks is not going to be the best medicine for a team that was already struggling.

The Knicks not only have one of the league’s best defenses and a bench that is more than capable of chewing up Toronto and spitting them out if they get hot. Darko Rajakovic will need to press all the right buttons to avoid getting beaten up by another superior opponent.

The Raptors can either pull off yet another upset of a Knicks team that should, by all rights, pull off the win, or they can continue to sink further into a depressive swing by losing their fourth straight game. How they start in this game will tell fans a lot about this team’s character.

Otto Porter Jr. Injury Status for tonight’s Raptors vs. Knicks game

Porter has been ruled out for this game after suffering a foot contusion against the Hornets. Between the fact that Porter has played just 19 games since the start of last year due to injuries and Porter reinjuring the same foot that plagued him before, they are taking things slowly.

Jalen Brunson Injury Status for tonight’s Raptors vs. Knicks game

Brunson has been deemed questionable due to an ankle injury, which could be enough to completely throw the Knicks’ offense off-center just a little bit. Toronto will likely feel more confident against Immanuel Quickley and Donte DiVincenzo as a starting backcourt over a dynamo like Brunson.

Projected Starting Lineups Tonight

Toronto

PG Dennis SchroderSG OG AnunobySF Scottie BarnesPF Pascal SiakamC Jakob Poeltl

New York

PG Jalen BrunsonSG Donte DiVincenzoSF RJ BarrettPF Julius RandleC Isaiah Hartenstein

Toronto Raptors next five opponents

The Raptors’ schedule includes a pair of tangos with the Hawks and another duel with the Hornets team that beat them previously. It doesn’t get easier after this, as Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets will come to town.

Dec. 13 vs. Atlanta HawksDec. 15 vs. Atlanta HawksDec. 18 vs. Charlotte HornetsDec. 20 vs. Denver NuggetsDec. 22 @ Philadelphia 76ers

Raptors injury report

Otto Porter Jr-OUT-FootChristian Koloko-OUT-Respiratory condition

Knicks injury report

Mitchell Robinson-OUT-AnkleJalen Brunson-QUESTIONABLE-Ankle