The Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s a Pelicans vs. Raptors prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs. Raptors pick.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
The Toronto Raptors lost to the Rockets, beat the Mavs, and play the Suns next. The Raptors have won 11 of their last 20 games.
The Toronto Raptors are averaging 113.5 points on 47.3 percent shooting and allowing 111.7 points on 46.4 percent shooting. Brandon Ingram is averaging 21.7 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Scottie Barnes is averaging 18.9 points and 7.9 rebounds. RJ Barrett is the third double-digit scorer, and Immanuel Quickley is dishing 6.2 assists. The Toronto Raptors are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 78.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Toronto Raptors are allowing 34.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.4 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Suns, beat the Wizards, and play the Rockets next. The Pelicans have won 6 of their last 9 games.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 115.5 points on 46.4 percent shooting and allowing 120.2 points on 47.6 percent shooting. Trey Murphy III is averaging 22 points and 5.6 rebounds, while Zion Williamson is averaging 21.5 points and 5.9 rebounds. Saddiq Bey is the third double-digit scorer, and Dejounte Murray is dishing 5.3 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.3 percent from beyond the arc and 78.9 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 34.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.9 rebounds per game.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Raptors have lost each of their last seven road games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The underdogs have won four of the Pelicans’ last five games at Smoothie King Center.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last six games against the Raptors following a win.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five road games against Southwest Division opponents.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last nine games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Raptors have won each of their last eight games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight Wednesday games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Raptors’ last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Pelicans’ last six night games against Eastern Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Ten of the Raptors’ last 11 games as road favorites following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Zion Williamson ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points in the paint per game (15.8) this season.
- Herb Jones is one of only two players in the league to have recorded 8+ steals in a game this season.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- Scottie Barnes is the only player in the league to have recorded 25+ rebounds in a game this season.
- Immanuel Quickley ranks T9th in the league for fast break points (203) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from an HT deficit this season—trailing by 22 points vs. the Rockets on December 18.
- The Pelicans rank 1st for points in the paint (3810) this season.
- The Raptors rank 30th in the league for Q4 points per game this season (25.7).
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points (1203) this season.
Pelicans vs Raptors Injury Report
The Pelicans will be without Bryce McGowens.
Collin Murray-Boyles and Trayce Jackson-Davis are out for the Raptors. Jakob Poeltl is questionable.
Pelicans vs Raptors Prediction
The Raptors should be favored, but they’re on the end of a back-to-back and have had some spotty results over the last couple of weeks. The Pelicans have been a different team since getting Zion and Murray back, and it looks like they’re playing tonight.
The Pelicans don’t win but unlike other teams in the league they compete nightly and are a profitable 37-29 ATS on the season. With the rest advantage and home court, I’ll lean toward the Pels in this toss-up contest. The Pelicans play hard, which can’t be said for most teams in their situation.