The Toronto Raptors travel to Louisiana on Wednesday night for a meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Toronto enters the game with a winning record and hopes to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference race, while New Orleans continues to search for consistency after a difficult season. Before tip-off from the Crescent City, continue reading to get my Raptors vs Pelicans prediction.
Our Raptors vs Pelicans Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Toronto Raptors @ New Orleans Pelicans
- Date & Time: Wednesday, March 11, 8:00 PM ET
- Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
Toronto arrives in New Orleans after a mixed stretch of results. The Raptors recently defeated Dallas in convincing fashion, but followed that with a loss against Houston. Despite the uneven results, Toronto still owns a positive scoring margin on the season thanks to solid defensive play and balanced scoring from several starters. The Raptors allow just over 111 points per game, one of the stronger defensive marks in the league.
New Orleans has shown more volatility. The Pelicans have produced several high-scoring outings recently and have won a number of games during the last two weeks, yet their defense continues to struggle. They give up more than 120 points per game, one of the highest marks in the NBA. For a team that can score efficiently, those defensive lapses often force them into shootouts.
Toronto is at an extreme rest disadvantage going into this contest. The Raptors played last night against the Rockets and will have to bounce back on the road after that, while the Pelicans last played on March 8.
Key Players
New Orleans Pelicans
- Zion Williamson leads the Pelicans’ attack and remains their most efficient scoring option. The powerful forward averages around 23 points per game while consistently finishing near the rim. His ability to draw defenders also opens opportunities for shooters around him.
- Trey Murphy III provides perimeter scoring and spacing. Murphy regularly reaches the 20-point range when his outside shot is falling and has become one of the club’s most reliable three-point threats.
- Herbert Jones contributes across the board with defense and playmaking. His activity on the defensive end helps New Orleans create turnovers and transition opportunities.
Toronto Raptors
- Scottie Barnes is the engine of the Raptors’ lineup. The versatile forward averages 19 points along with strong rebounding and playmaking numbers, making him one of the most complete players on the roster.
- RJ Barrett has delivered consistent scoring, including a recent 31-point performance in a dominant win over Dallas. His aggressive drives help balance Toronto’s offense.
- Immanuel Quickley supplies perimeter scoring and assists from the guard spot. His ability to push the pace and hit outside shots adds another dimension to the Raptors offense.
Stat Comparison
| Team | Points per game | Points allowed per game | Team Field Goal % | Rebounds per game | Assists per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raptors | 113.5 | 111.7 | 47% | 42.4 | 29.0 |
| Pelicans | 115.5 | 120.2 | 46% | 43.9 | 25.1 |
Head-to-Head and Betting Trends
- This is the first game of the season between these teams.
- Toronto is 1-4 against the spread in its last 5 games.
- New Orleans is 7-2 against the spread in its last 9 games.
- Toronto games have gone under the total in 5 of the last 6 contests.
- Pelicans games have gone over the total in 4 of their last 5 outings.
Raptors vs Pelicans Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
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