New Orleans at Toronto
Time: 6:30 PM (CT), NBA TV
Spread: TOR -9
Total: 231.5
Odds c/o 5dimes
The New Orleans Pelicans are 6-6 on the season and winner of its past two, but it now travels to face the best team in the Eastern Conference, and the Toronto Raptors are 9-point favorites in the affair, which will televise at 6:30 PM CT on NBA TV. The over/under is set at 231.5 points according to NBA oddsmakers at 5dimes.
NO
Anthony Davis has been on a tear and is averaging 24.6 points, 12.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 4.67 blocks/steals in 37.3 minutes per game. He has been getting a lot of (offensive) help from Nikola Mirotic, who has broken out finally after several seasons struggling in New Orleans and Chicago. Mirotic is averaging better than 20 points per game while hauling in 11.7 rebounds per game. He is shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from three-point range on 6.9 attempts per night. Jrue Holiday has been outstanding on the defensive end, and he is contributing another 18.8 points and 8.8 assists per game.
One of the biggest surprises, though, has been the play of Julius Randle. Despite battling plantar fasciitis this season, he is making a strong bid for Sixth Man of the Year. The one-time Laker is averaging 18 points and eight rebounds per game in just 25 minutes a night. E’twaun Moore and Elfrid Payton are adding some solid backcourt play, combining for 25.2 points and 8.5 assists between them, to round out the Pels’ rotation. New Orleans is also getting spot contributions from Wesley Johnson, Ian Clark and Darius Miller, all of whom average better than five points per game.
The Pelicans are not replete with depth, but Randle gives it a strong spark plug with his energy and scoring ability. Davis remains the key to the engine, and the Pelicans are hoping the former Kentucky big man does not become too frustrated with his supporting cast. With DeMarcus Cousins having left for Golden State, the thought was that the Pelicans suffered a major loss, but it was without his services in the playoffs when it gave Golden State a relatively tough five-game series. All indications are that this team is better, despite its record sitting at just a humble .500.
TOR
Toronto is 12-1 and 7-0 at home this season. It has won its past six games, and it has been getting bigger contributions from Pascal Siakem, who scored a career-high 23 points in the win over the Knicks last outing. Kawhi Leonard would be cited as the primary difference maker, but the Raptors have been getting contributions all across the board from its deep roster.
Veteran forward Serge Ibaka seems to have found the fountain of youth, and he is having one of his best seasons in several years. Kyle Lowry, despite missing his friend DeMar DeRozan, is averaging 17 points and 11 assists, while posting a PER of 23.7. In fact, the Raptors top-four scorers all post PERs of 22 or better, with Jonas Valanciunas now in a new role leading the way at 28.1.
Leonard is an upgrade over DeRozan, but it has been a little surprising the chemistry in Toronto has been this good. Along with DeRozan, the Raptors have been making good use of fellow former Spur Danny Green, who is averaging 10 points and four rebounds per game.
Siakem has the look at times of a future star. In 27.9 minutes per game, he is averaging 13.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.15 steals per game, displaying enough strength on both ends of the court, often matching up against the best offensive player on the opposition. The Raptors have the pieces intact to make a serious run, and will they finally overcome their playoff wise with LeBron James out of the conference finally?
