The Toronto Raptors (6-4) will be at home in Air Canada Centre when they go head-to-head against the New Orleans Pelicans (6-5). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 214.5 points with Toronto set as a 4.5-point favorite. Action begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 9, 2017, and it can be seen on CTV Sportsnet Toronto.
New Orleans Pelicans at Toronto Raptors ATS Preview
In the Pelicans’ last contest, they defeated the Indiana Pacers, 117-112. Anthony Davis was the game’s leading scorer with 37 points on 14-for-18 shooting. New Orleans dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a superb effective field goal percentage of 0.586 (above their season average of 0.509) and a free throw rate of 0.172 (matching their season average). Indiana had marks of 0.522 and 0.161, respectively, for those same stats.
The Raptors hope to maintain momentum after defeating the Chicago Bulls in their last game, 119-114. Toronto was led by Jonas Valanciunas, who finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Toronto’s 0.623 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Chicago, who had a mark of 0.569. The Raptors’ mark was above their season average of 0.521.
Conflicting tempos will be on display in this battle. New Orleans has preferred a fast-breaking style of play (seventh in possessions per game), while Toronto has been more half-court-oriented (18th in possessions per game).
Of New Orleans’ 11 games, six have finished under the O/U total, while 5 of Toronto’s 10 games have finished over the O/U total. Both teams have decent straight up (SU) records (6-5 for New Orleans; 6-4 for Toronto), but the Pelicans hold a slight edge against the spread (ATS). New Orleans is 7-4 ATS, while the Raptors are 6-4.
Davis has been playing at a high level over the last five games for New Orleans, averaging 30.0 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.
This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year. The Raptors won both games played against each other last season. In the last matchup, Toronto won 94-87. The Raptors played a flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.184 and a turnover percentage of 11.3. The Pelicans recorded marks of 0.125 and 14.0, respectively, for those same stats.
New Orleans Pelicans at Toronto Raptors Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pelicans rank ninth in second chance points per game (13.5) while the Raptors rank 21st in second chance points allowed per game (13.3).
- Toronto ranks fourth in steals per game (8.6) while New Orleans ranks 10th (8.4).
- New Orleans ranks fifth in assists per game (24.1) while Toronto ranks 16th (21.9).
- Toronto is 2-2 ATS at home, while New Orleans is 5-2 ATS on the road.
- In 7 road games, the Pelicans have 4 unders and 3 overs.
- Of the Raptors’ 4 home games, they have 3 overs and 1 under.
- In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Toronto is 3-0 and New Orleans is 2-0.
- In games where they score over 100 points, the Raptors are 5-2 and the Pelicans are 4-1.
- The Pelicans rank 13th in fast break points per game (9.7) while the Raptors rank 22nd in fast break points allowed per game (13.9).
- Toronto ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (25.8) while New Orleans ranks 20th (30.4).
- The Pelicans rank second in points in the paint per game (51.3) while the Raptors rank 17th in points allowed in the paint per game (44.4).
- The Raptors average 5.3 blocks per game, which ranks eighth in the league. The Pelicans rank 14th in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
- Toronto ranks second in points off turnovers per game (21.3) while New Orleans ranks 16th (17.5).
Bettings Trends:
- Toronto is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, New Orleans is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Raptors have been outscored by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Toronto has defeated opponents by an average of 5.0 points.
- During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 101.8 points per game (4.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.0 points per game (3.2 below their season average).
