The Toronto Raptors (46-19) will travel to the Smoothie King Center to clash with the New Orleans Pelicans (30-37). The Pelicans opened as 4.5-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 232.5 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports – New Orleans at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 8, 2019.
Toronto Raptors at New Orleans Pelicans Betting Odds
Both teams fell in their last outing. The Raptors (3.5-point favorites) were defeated by the Houston Rockets, 107-95, while the Pelicans (4.5-point underdogs) fell to the Utah Jazz, 114-104. The Toronto game went 26 points under the projected point total of 228, while the New Orleans game finished 12 points under the projected point total of 230.
Toronto had an offensive rebounding percentage of 32.0 (above their season average of 23.0) while New Orleans forced Utah into a turnover percentage of 17.0 (above their season average of 13.2). New Orleans’ Julius Randle played well, contributing 23 points and six rebounds. Serge Ibaka was a key piece for Toronto with 10 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks.
In their first matchup this season, Anthony Davis led the Pelicans to a 126-110 victory. He notched a double-double with 25 points and 20 rebounds. The two teams combined to put up 236 points, which was over the projected point total of 228.5, and New Orleans covered as a 10-point underdog. The Pelicans’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over the Raptors. New Orleans had a rate of 31.8, while Toronto posted a mark of 24.5.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Raptors games, with 35 overs compared to 30 unders. Toronto has an excellent 46-19 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 27-36-2 against the spread (ATS).
Just over half of Pelicans games have also finished over the total. Moreover, New Orleans owns records of 30-37 SU and 34-32-1 ATS.
It could be a sloppy game for the New Orleans offense. New Orleans ranks 21st in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 13.5 percent), while the pesky defense of Toronto forces the ninth-most turnovers in the league (14.1 percent).
Toronto Raptors vs. New Orleans Pelicans ATS Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pelicans rank fifth in second chance points per game (14.3) while the Raptors rank 14th (13.4).
- Toronto averages 18.1 fast break points per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 24th in fast break points allowed per game (14.7).
- The Raptors rank 12th in assists allowed per game (24.5) while the Pelicans rank 27th (26.3).
- New Orleans ranks fourth in rebounds per game (47.0) while Toronto ranks 18th (45.1).
- New Orleans ranks first in points in the paint per game (58.7) while Toronto ranks 11th (49.3).
- The Raptors rank ninth in steals per game (8.3) while the Pelicans rank 26th in steals allowed per game (8.4).
- The Raptors rank 12th in three pointers attempted per game (33.2) while the Pelicans rank 24th in three pointers allowed per game (33.2).
- Toronto averages 5.2 blocks per game, which ranks 14th in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 17th in blocks allowed per game (5.2).
- Toronto averages 17.7 points off turnovers per game, which ranks ninth in the league. New Orleans ranks 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.7).
- Toronto is 11-1 when they allow under 100 points, while New Orleans is 5-2.
- When scoring above 100 points, the Raptors are 43-13 and the Pelicans are 30-31.
- Toronto is 13-17-1 ATS on the road, while New Orleans is 16-15 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 17 of the Raptors’ 31 road games, while 16 of the Pelicans’ 31 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Toronto and New Orleans have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Raptors are 1-4.
- The Pelicans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.8, up from 0.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 107.4 points per game (6.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 108.8 points per game (0.0 below their season average).