Orlando vs Raptors Prediction 31 January 2026

Not too long ago, it seemed like New York were in a crisis. But the team have fully emerged from it. They've secured four consecutive victories, including wins against some tough opponents. For instance, they edged out Philadelphia (112-109) and dominated Toronto (119-92). Recently, the Knicks have been taking their time on offense. They methodically execute their possessions, sometimes taking shots just before the shot clock expires. Brunson and company are effective, which leads to impressive scoring.

Defensively, the team look quite solid. There's a weak spot with Towns, but other players perform almost flawlessly near their own basket. On average, they allow 113.7 points per game, which isn't too high. Playing at home offers a chance to improve these stats even further.

Portland are currently on a three-game losing streak. Their encounters with tough opponents didn't end well, as they fell to Toronto (98-110) and Boston (94-102). However, the most surprising setback came during their trip to the capital, where they were defeated by Washington with a score of 111-115. Objectively, their offense isn't performing at its best. Yes, they are an incredibly fast-paced team, but their shots have stopped falling consistently. Therefore, it's not very meaningful to focus on their average of 116.1 points per game.

Regarding defense, there are many criticisms to be made about the team. However, some players manage to maintain a decent level of individual defense. Holiday, for instance, can defend at an almost elite level. It's possible that some issues might be mitigated by a slower pace of play.