NEW YORK _ The Knicks started two rookies and at times they had three players who began the season in the G-League on the court together. They ended the game with four rookies and a player on a 10-day contract on the floor.
They were no match for the East-leading Raptors as the Knicks' defense and season continues to go in the tank. Toronto buried the Knicks 132-106 Sunday afternoon, sending them to their seventh straight defeat and 15th in the last 16 games. The Knicks have won just once in the last 40 days.
The 132 was the most points they've given up all season, and Raptors' All-Star and leading scorer DeMar DeRozan was just 4-for-16 with nine points
"They just drove by us," Jeff Hornacek said. "On the ball was pretty poor. We got to be able to defend guys and stay in front of them."
Hornacek also got a little feisty about the officiating. He didn't agree with a foul on Emmanuel Mudiay when Kyle Lowry was attempting a 3-pointer with the Knicks down seven in the third quarter. Hornacek picked up the sticky mat by the scorer's table, but then just put it down.
"To me it looked like Kyle landed first," Hornacek said. "When you fall and flop, these referees sometimes they fall for that. That was big."
The Raptors (49-17) just rolled from there as the Knicks put up very little resistance.
They have given up at least 110 points in 10 of the 12 games they've played since losing their best player and the NBA's leading shot blocker Kristaps Porzingis to a torn ACL.
The upshot for the Knicks is there's going to be plenty of more chances for them to see their young players, and determine who will be a part of their future. There's still a month left in the season.
Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Knicks (24-43) with 25 points. He also exchanged words with Lowry and Serge Ibaka in the first half, resulting in technical fouls for all three players.
Undrafted big man Luke Kornet, a two-way player who splits time in G-League, got his first career start and scored a career high 18 points. Kornet replaced Enes Kanter, who was a late scratch due to back spasms.
"I've gotten better at some stuff but I recognize there's a long way to go even just from this game," Kornet said. "I've made some good steps. It's a long road. I know I still have a long way to go."
Kornet was critical of his own defense, saying he made numerous mistakes and he should have been more aggressive contesting shots. He was not alone.
Emmanuel Mudiay added 13 points, Frank Ntilikina 11 and Trey Burke 10.
Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes to lead the Raptors, who won for the 15th time in 16 games. Lowry scored 16.
The Knicks only trailed 65-57 at the half. But as usual, they fell apart after halftime. Toronto shot 55.8 percent and outscored the Knicks 67-49 in the second half.
Tensions were high at the end of the first half. Lowry and Hardaway jawed with each other before Lowry attempted a free throw with 53 seconds left. Ibaka didn't like something he heard and started to walk toward Hardaway and had to be restrained.
Hardaway hit a jumper over Ibaka with 5.7 seconds to go that led to more talking. But the Raptors scored last _ a Malcolm Miller 3-pointer at the buzzer. As the Knicks were leaving the court, Ibaka shouted something in Hardaway's direction. He turned but it didn't escalate any further.
"It's part of the game," Hardaway said. "It's nothing major. I'm not going to back down from nobody. I just wanted to get some confidence and get that energy and that fire in the arena and with my teammates."
