Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Smoothie King Center

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The Toronto Raptors travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 1.5 point favorites.

The Raptors come into this game with an overall record of 37-26. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.9 as they are averaging 107.9 points per game while giving up 104.0 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall record of 25-39. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 102.8 points per game and surrendering 106.0, good for a point differential of -3.2.

DeMar DeRozan comes into this contest averaging 27.6 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Raptors. He pulls down 5.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 85%. Serge Ibaka averages 15.3 points per game in 31 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1 assists per contest and 6.9 rebounds per game for Toronto. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

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Demarcus Cousins averages 27.2 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 11 rebounds per game and has 4.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 78%. Anthony Davis averages 28.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.8 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Toronto averages 107.9 points per contest this season which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.89 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 11th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 10th in the league. They average 42.7 rebounds per game and 18.3 assists per game which ranks them 25th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 12.3 per game. The Raptors allow 104 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 8th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 11th and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.7 rebounds a game which ranks 11th and they give up 21.9 assists per contest which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

New Orleans averages 102.8 points per game this year which ranks them 21st in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.23 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 25th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 21st in the NBA. They average 44 rebounds per game and 22.2 assists per contest which ranks them 13th and 16th respectively. In the turnover department the Pelicans rank 21st with 13.4 per game. The Pelicans allow 106 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 5th and 6th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 48.6 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 23.1 assists per contest which puts them in 21st place in the league. The Pelicans force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the NBA.

The Raptors have an offensive rating of 113.1 and a defensive rating of 109. In terms of pace they average 95 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 52%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they shoot 3 pointers on 29% of their shots. Toronto turns the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

The Pelicans rating on offense is 103.6 and they have a defensive rating of 106.9. They get 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they attempt 3 pointers on 31% of their shot attempts. New Orleans turns the ball over on 12.2 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.4 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 50%.

Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 34-28-1 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 34-29-0 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 30-32-2 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 28-36-0 against the over/under

Toronto Raptors Injuries

03/07/17 F DeMarre Carroll Ankle is upgraded to probable Wednesday vs. New Orleans
03/03/17 PG Kyle Lowry Wrist out indefinitely

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely
03/06/17 C Omer Asik Illness missed last game, "?" Wednesday vs. Toronto
03/03/17 G Jarrett Jack Knee out indefinitely

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans -1.5

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