Toronto Raptors (28-31) vs New Orleans Pelicans (30-29)
Game Info: Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 7:30 pm (Scotiabank Arena)
Betting Odds: Toronto Raptors -4.5 -- Over/Under: 227.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The New Orleans Pelicans invade the Scotiabank Arena to take on the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night.
The New Orleans Pelicans have been in decent shape lately as they’ve won four of their last six games overall, but they will be looking to bounce back in this one after getting routed by the Lakers in a 120-102 road loss last Wednesday. Brandon Ingram led the team with 25 points, CJ McCollum added 21 points with nine assists while Willy Hernangomez chipped in with 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. As a team, the Pelicans shot 43 percent from the field and seven of 25 from the 3-point line as they held the Lakers to just 17 points in the second quarter to reduce an early 15-point deficit to just four points before halftime, only to get blown away by 65-51 in the second half as they had no answer for the Lakers’ Anthony Davis who scorched them for 28 points on 13 of 17 shooting.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors were building nicely heading into the All-Star break as they’ve won five of their last six games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after beating the Magic in a 123-113 win last Tuesday. Jakob Poeltl led the team with 30 points on 15 of 17 shooting, Pascal Siakam added 26 points with six assists while Scottie Barnes chipped in with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists. As a team, the Raptors shot a sizzling 60 percent from the field and eight of 24 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble after allowing the Magic to pour in 43 points in the second quarter, but they kept their composure and outpaced the Magic by 58-43 in the second half to win easily in the end.
Looking at the betting trends, the Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in their last five road games, 2-5 ATS in their last seven games following a loss and 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games playing on three or more days rest. The Raptors are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games and 4-1 ATS in their last five games against a team with a winning record.
Head to head, the Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in Toronto and the Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings overall.
The Pelicans are going to be shorthanded once again as Zion Williamson and Dyson Daniels are both out and Larry Nance Jr is listed as day to day, while the Raptors have plenty of good news with Gary Trent Jr, Thaddeus Young and OG Anunoby all expected to return to the lineup. Both teams are coming into this one with a bit of momentum, but there is more optimism around the Raptors at the moment, especially now that they’re almost back to full health. The Raptors are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games and I think they can take advantage of this shorthanded Pelicans squad.
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Peter’s Pick Toronto -4.5
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
Mitch's Take...
