Toronto Raptors vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction 3/11/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The Toronto Raptors and the New Orleans Pelicans collide at the Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night. Here’s a Toronto Raptors vs. New Orleans Pelicans prediction. This article will include a Toronto Raptors vs. New Orleans Pelicans pick.

Toronto Raptors Betting Preview 

The Toronto Raptors have been in a slump lately, as they’ve dropped five of their last seven games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back here after getting routed by the Rockets in a 113-99 road defeat last night. RJ Barrett led the team with 25 points on 10 of 18 shooting, Scottie Barnes added 24 points on eight of 16 shooting, while Immanuel Quickley chipped in with 12 points and six assists but no other player finished in double figures in scoring.

As a team, the Raptors shot 44 percent from the field and nine of 36 from the 3-point line as they poured in 34 points in the third quarter to climb their way back into the contest after a slow start, but they went cold when it mattered most and could only manage 16 points in the fourth quarter to allow the Rockets to run away with it in the end. Brandon Ingram had a rough night as he shot just three of 12 from the field for his nine points in 36 minutes of action. 

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in great shape, as they’ve won six of their last nine games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after routing the Wizards in a 138-118 home win on Sunday. Trey Murphy III led the team in scoring with 24 points on seven of 14 shooting, Saddiq Bey added 23 points with 10 rebounds, Zion Williamson scored 20 points on six of eight shooting, and Dejounte Murray chipped in with 19 points.

As a team, the Pelicans shot 53 percent from the field and seven of 23 from the 3-point line as they led by just two points at halftime despite pouring in 67 points in the first half, before they finally played some defense in the second half to pull away and win comfortably at home. The Pelicans did a particularly good job on the Wizards’ Bilal Coulibaly, who was kept to just five points on one of 12 shots from the field. 

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

• The underdogs have won four of the Raptors’ last five games at Smoothie King Center.
• The Raptors have lost nine of their last 10 road games against Southwest Division opponents.
• The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs against the Raptors following a win.
• The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as favorites against Western Conference opponents following a loss.

Why the Toronto Raptors will win

• The Raptors have won each of their last seven games following a road loss.
• The Pelicans have lost each of their last nine games as underdogs against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight Wednesday night games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The Raptors have covered the spread in each of their last four games when playing with a rest disadvantage.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of the Pelicans’ last eight night games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the Raptors’ last four games has gone UNDER the total points line.

New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts

• Trey Murphy III ranks 3rd in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.5) this season.
• Saddiq Bey ranks 9th amongst qualified guards for rebounds per game (5.8) this season.

Toronto Raptors Player Facts

• Brandon Ingram ranks 24th amongst qualified players for points per game (21.5) this season.
• RJ Barrett ranks 17th amongst qualified guards for FG% (48.9%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pelicans rank 1st for points in the paint per game (57.7) this season.
• The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (12.6).
• The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points per game (18.8) this season.
• The Raptors rank 2nd in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (60.9%).

Toronto Raptors vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction

The Raptors have ruled out AJ Lawson, Jakob Poeltl and Trayce Jackson-Davis, while the Pelicans have ruled out Bryce McGowens for this one. The Raptors could really do with a win to get themselves back on track, but it’s going to be tough to bounce back on zero days’ rest against the Pelicans, who have been on the rise since getting their players back from injury. These teams have yet to clash this season, but I think the Pelicans represent decent value as the home underdog in this situation, so I will back the Pelicans to get the job done.

Peter Tran's Pick: New Orleans +1.5