Knicks roll past Raptors thanks to late-game defensive push

TORONTO — New York’s much-improved defense locked up when it was most needed.In a tight game midway through the fourth quarter, the Knicks held the Raptors to just two points in the final five minutes and left Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday with a 111-95 victory and a season sweep of the division foe.Trailing by two points after Immanuel Quickley’s runner with 5:50 left, the Raptors missed four straight buckets with two turnovers while under the pressure of the Knicks’ swarming defense.The Knicks (40-22), who own the NBA’s top-ranked defense over their last 19 games, closed the win with a 16-2 run.The critical point was a Jalen Brunson steal with about two minutes left, which he turned into an assist on Josh Hart’s layup on the other end.It gave the Knicks an 11-point lead as Raptors fans funneled to the exits.Brunson finished with a team-high 26 points and 10 assists, but the offense was a group effort.

Karl-Anthony Towns was also efficient with 21 points, 13 boards and six assists on 10-for-17 shooting.OG Anunoby added 15 points.And until further notice — which won’t come until next season or the playoffs — the Knicks own the Raptors.The Raptors (35-26) arrived with a point to prove.

They’re rejuvenated this season and returning to the playoffs, but they can’t compete with the Knicks.In the three previous matchups before Tuesday, the Knicks blew out their division rival.In fact, the Knicks haven’t lost to the Raptors in three years — a stretch that’s now reached 12 straight Knicks victories — which includes a 10-0 record since Anunoby was swapped for RJ Barrett and Quickley.“Anytime you play anybody that has beat you three times [in a season], you want to come out on the right end,” Quickley said before the game.

“Doesn’t matter if it’s the Knicks.Doesn’t matter if it’s anybody that has beat you.

You want to come out on the right end.”Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic acknowledged the Knicks as the bar.“We have taken st...