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Knicks-Raptors Preview

Nov 9, 2015 - 8:28 PM The Toronto Raptors were ice cold to end their four-game road trip and hope a return home helps them get back on track offensively.

The New York Knicks may pose a greater defensive challenge than initially anticipated in Monday night's matchup.

Toronto (5-2) lost 96-76 to Miami on Sunday, its second consecutive defeat. The Raptors were held to 29 second-half points, their fewest since scoring 28 in a 74-72 loss at Indiana on Nov. 13, 2012.

They averaged 106.0 points and shot 39.0 percent from 3-point range in their first five games before struggling in Friday's 92-87 defeat at Orlando, shooting a season-worst 34.9 percent from the floor.

Kyle Lowry was 4 for 16 against the Heat and has gone 15 for 46 (32.6 percent) over his last three games. He shot 47.2 percent in his first four. DeMar DeRozan also shot poorly Sunday, going 5 for 14.

"I didn't get too excited when we were 5-0 and I'm not getting down now that we've had a few stinkers," coach Dwane Casey told the team's official website.

It's uncertain if DeMarre Carroll will play after sitting out Sunday to rest his sore right heel. He's shot 34.2 percent through six games, a season after posting a career-best 48.7 mark with Atlanta. James Johnson had seven points and seven rebounds while starting in his place at Miami.

"(The injury) has affected his play, his jump shot and his defensive movement," Casey said of Carroll. "Getting him rest right now is the most important thing."

The Knicks (3-4) ended a three-game slide with a 99-95 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, winning despite shooting 39.3 percent. Carmelo Anthony had 24 points but went 8 of 20 as his shooting woes continued. His 37.1 field-goal percentage would be by far the lowest of his career.

Neither of the club's top two scorers have been particularly efficient, as rookie Kristaps Porzingis (12.3 ppg) is hitting 39.5 percent and was 3 for 10 against the Lakers.

"Offensively our execution is still really an area where we have to improve a lot, which we will over time," said coach Derek Fisher, who was ejected in the third quarter for arguing Porzingis' foul on a Kobe Bryant 3-point attempt.

New York, though, has limited its last three opponents to 40.3 percent shooting after yielding 47.2 in the previous three contests.

The Knicks have dropped five of seven in Toronto, where the Raptors are looking to improve to 3-0.

Lowry has averaged 24.4 points and 52.6 percent from the floor in his last five meetings with New York, though DeRozan has made just 36.6 percent in his past five.

Anthony has averaged 31.5 points in his last six games against Toronto.