Toronto Raptors at New Orleans Pelicans Pick 11-8-19

The Toronto Raptors (5-2) and New Orleans Pelicans (1-6) will square off in the Big Easy for a Western Conference versus Eastern Conference clash on Friday, November 8th, 2019, with a scheduled tip-off time of 8:00 PM ET. The Raptors and the Pelicans opened up the 2019-2020 season in the Great White North, and the affair was nothing short of exciting as overtime as required. Nevertheless, the Raps were able to produce a splitting-hairs cover when it defeated the Cans 130-122 closing as a 7.5-point favorite.

Toronto Raptors at New Orleans Pelicans Key Injury Concerns

Pelicans Guard Lonzo Ball remains a question mark heading into this re-match of opening night as he battles cramping in his leg, the severity of which forced him from NOLA’s last game in Brooklyn.

Toronto Raptors at New Orleans Pelicans Overview

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors were last in action two days ago when they hosted the Sacramento Kings in Toronto and defeated them by a score of 124-120. The Raptors improved to 4-0 SU at home but failed to cover as an eight-point favorite. Previous to this, Toronto ventured to the city of Milwaukee to face off with the Bucks in a high-profile re-match of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. The Bucks got their revenge, defeating the Dino’s 115-105 and covering easy as a six-point favorite when the two met, six days ago.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans come in on a two-game losing streak both against the spread and straight dating back to their 115-104 defeat at Oklahoma City on November 2nd. Most recently, New Orleans was in action in Brooklyn against the Nets, four days ago. Closing as a 3.5-point underdog, the Pelicans were nowhere close to covering as they were defeated 135-125 by the Nets.

Reasons to Avoid Toronto

Both of Toronto’s losses this season came on the road. In both scenarios, they failed to cover while they were at it. Given the fact that Toronto has a far superior record to their counterparts, it resonates strongly with me that the market won’t give the Pelicans more than a bucket. Moreover, Toronto is prone to be overvalued, given the fact they have covered successfully in three of the last four meetings between these two parties combined with the fact they are the defending champs. Had New Orleans won in regulation to kick off the 2019-2020 season against the Raptors, they would likely be the favorite here. However, Toronto’s pedigree allows the Pelicans to be offered at a value price.

Reasons to Back New Orleans

In addition to the aforementioned variables, New Orleans can win this game alone by virtue of its bench play. When comparing the two teams, New Orleans’ bench produces 45.9 points per game while the Raptors bench generates 29.6 points per contest. This 16.3-point swing plays generously into the host’s hands and will be instrumental given the fact that New Orleans is the fresher of the two teams, meaning that Toronto will be quicker to go to their depth earlier. Moreover, New Orleans also owns an edge in the turnover department, which will be crucial in a game that is forecasted to be settled by a basket.