Toronto Raptors at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 11/15/2017

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Toronto Raptors travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 1.5 point favorites.

The Raptors head into this matchup with a mark of 7-5. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 4.5 as they are averaging 108.8 points per contest while giving up 104.3 per game. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 8-6. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 107.4 points per contest and giving up 107.0, which is a point differential of 0.4.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 6-6-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 6-6-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 9-5-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 6-8-0 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

11/13/17 G Norman Powell Hip injured last game, is doubtful Tuesday vs. Houston

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

11/13/17 G Tony Allen Knee is "?" Wednesday vs. Toronto
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry comes into this contest averaging 13.4 points per game while playing 31.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Raptors. He pulls down 4.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 91%. DeMar DeRozan averages 24.7 points per game in 34.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.2 assists per contest and 3.5 rebounds per game for Toronto. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 14.1 points per game while playing 37.6 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 6.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 82%. Demarcus Cousins averages 28.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 38 minutes per contest. He also averages 14 rebounds per contest and 5.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 108.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.42 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 9th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 41.4 rebounds per game and 22 assists per game, which ranks them 23rd and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 14.7 per game. The Raptors allow 104.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 11th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.8 rebounds a game which ranks 7th and they give up 22.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 16.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 11th in the league with 107.4 points per game this year. They are 6th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.43. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 23rd in the NBA. They are 10th in the league in rebounding with 45.4 boards per game, and 3rd in assists per contest with 25.2. The Pelicans are 4th in turnovers per game with 16.9. The Pelicans surrender 107 points per contest, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 11th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 22.3 assists allowed per contest and 19th with 44.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 16th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.7 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 106, and their offensive rating of 110.4 is ranked 16th. They are 16th in the NBA in pace with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 7th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the NBA. Toronto is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 6th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 18th in the league. The Pelicans are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.2, and their defensive rating of 105.8 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 100.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 6th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Raptors/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Toronto +1.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald