TORONTO (Interstat) — The New York Knicks rallied from an early hole with a dominant second quarter to defeat the Toronto Raptors 117-101 on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto led 39-35 after a high-scoring first quarter but was held to just 13 points in the second as New York seized control with a 34-point period. The Knicks carried a 69-52 advantage into halftime and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half before 17,801 fans. The victory improved New York’s record to 17-7, while the Raptors fell to 15-11. It was the Knicks’ second win over Toronto in 10 days.

TORONTO (Interstat) — Jalen Brunson scored 35 points and the New York Knicks used a dominant second-quarter surge to overcome a hot Toronto start, defeating the Raptors 117-101 on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena to advance to the NBA Cup semifinals for the first time. A crowd of 17,801 saw the Knicks, who entered the quarterfinal matchup as a 3-point favorite, erase a 13-point first-quarter deficit by outscoring the Raptors 34-13 in the second period. That decisive swing transformed a 39-35 Toronto lead after a high-octane opening frame into a 69-52 New York advantage at halftime, a lead the Knicks would not relinquish. The game’s most critical sequence began late in the first quarter and bled into the second. After Toronto’s Brandon Ingram capped a 39-point opening period for the home team with a jumper to put the Raptors up four, the Knicks’ defense stiffened dramatically. New York opened the second quarter on a 14-0 run, holding Toronto scoreless for the first 6:27 of the period. During that stretch, the Raptors missed nine consecutive field goal attempts and committed four turnovers, allowing the Knicks to seize control. Josh Hart, who finished with 21 points, ignited the run with a driving layup and a mid-range jumper. Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted 14 points and 16 rebounds, added a bucket inside, and OG Anunoby contributed four points during the surge, including a steal and breakaway dunk that forced a Toronto timeout with the Knicks leading 53-39. The Raptors’ offensive woes continued, and New York extended its lead to 17 by the break. Ingram led all scorers with 31 points for Toronto, adding six rebounds and six assists. Jamal Shead contributed 18 points and eight assists, and Jakob Poeltl had 10 points and nine rebounds. But the Raptors’ early efficiency vanished after the first quarter, as they shot just 13 points in the second on 5-of-21 from the field. Brunson, the Knicks’ floor general from New Brunswick, New Jersey, was the steadying force throughout, adding three rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes. His backcourt partner Mikal Bridges of Philadelphia chipped in 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Anunoby, facing his former team, added 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks. The Raptors attempted to rally in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 69-63 after a 9-0 run fueled by two Ingram three-pointers. But Brunson answered with a deep three of his own to halt the momentum, and the Knicks closed the quarter strong to take an 94-79 lead into the final period. Toronto never got closer than 12 points in the fourth quarter as New York methodically closed out the victory. The win improved New York’s record to 17-7 and sent them to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas, where they will face the Orlando Magic on Saturday. The Magic advanced by defeating the Miami Heat earlier Tuesday. The loss dropped Toronto to 15-11. The game’s total points, 218, fell well under the pregame over/under line of 231.5. National Statistical’s ELO system had given the Knicks a 63.9% probability to win. New York has now won two straight against Toronto this season, having also defeated the Raptors 116-94 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 30. The Knicks will continue their road trip with a game at the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 18. The Raptors, mired in a three-game losing streak, will look to rebound on Dec. 18 when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks.

Preview: Knicks at Raptors, Tuesday, December 9 TORONTO (Interstat) — The surging New York Knicks will look to continue their strong start and complete a regular-season series sweep when they visit the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night. New York (16-7) enters on a three-game winning streak and sits atop the Eastern Conference standings. Toronto (15-10) aims to halt a three-game skid and gain ground in the competitive Atlantic Division. The Knicks routed the Raptors 116-94 at Madison Square Garden just over a week ago on Nov. 30. A key matchup will feature two versatile forwards in stellar form. The Knicks’ Josh Hart is coming off a 17-point, 12-rebound performance in Sunday’s 106-100 win over Orlando, his fourth double-double in the last five games. Over his last 10 contests, Hart has averaged 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists, providing critical all-around production. Toronto’s Scottie Barnes remains the focal point, averaging a near triple-double of 20.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists in his last 10 games. He posted 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in a close loss to Boston on Sunday. Barnes will need support from Brandon Ingram, who scored 30 points against the Celtics, to counter New York’s balanced attack. The Knicks have won eight of their last 10 games, showcasing one of the league’s top offenses during that stretch. Jalen Brunson, who scored 30 points against Orlando, and OG Anunoby provide consistent scoring alongside Hart’s energetic play. The Raptors, after a solid November, have stumbled in early December with consecutive losses to the Lakers, Hornets and Celtics. Defense has been an issue, allowing an average of 118.3 points during the losing streak. New York is a 3-point road favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, with an over/under set at 231.5 points. Following this game, the Knicks begin a three-game homestand next week, while the Raptors embark on a four-game road trip starting Thursday in Milwaukee.