The Toronto Raptors (1-3) visit the New Orleans Pelicans (3-2) as slight betting favorites Saturday. Tip-off at Smoothie King Center will be at 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Raptors-Pelicans NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Raptors picked up their first win of the season Thursday by beating the New York Knicks 100-83. The Pelicans dropped the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-80 Thursday. New Orleans beat Toronto 113-99 in the season-opener for both teams Dec. 23.
Raptors at Pelicans: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:05 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Raptors -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Pelicans +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Raptors -1.5 (-115) | Pelicans +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 214.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Raptors at Pelicans: Key Injuries
None affecting the betting lines.
Special NBA Betting Promotion!
Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer! MI residents, BetMGM is coming to your state soon — register early for special promotion.
Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Raptors at Pelicans: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Raptors 115, Pelicans 105
Money line (ML)
The RAPTORS (-120) played their best second half of the season on New Year’s Eve in outscoring the Knicks 58-41 in the final 24 minutes. Toronto continued its strong first-quarter play, as well, in jumping out to a 22-18 lead.
The Pelicans demolished the Thunder on the road before ringing in the New Year. They outscored OKC 28-7 in the fourth quarter to skew the results of a close game through 36 minutes. Oklahoma City shot 37.5% from the floor as a team while New Orleans hit on 48.4% of field-goal attempts.
Toronto led 57-50 at the half in its first game against New Orleans. The Pelicans finished with a 64.4 effective field-goal percentage, including a 19-for-42 performance from 3-point range.
The results of the game restored some betting value in the Raptors. Toronto was a 4-point favorite in the season-opener and should be backed Saturday at more profitable figures.
Against the spread (ATS)
The RAPTORS -1.5 (-115) offer a little more value to win by at least 2 points. The Pelicans’ two losses on the season have been by 13 and 25 points.
Toronto had a much better shooting performance Thursday which saw Gs Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell break out of early-season slumps. Star PF Pascal Siakam was benched amid his lackluster start to the season and should be expected to come out with an inspired effort for head coach Nick Nurse Saturday.
Over/Under (O/U)
Back the OVER 215.4 (-115) on a low number. Pelicans bigs Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram match up well against Toronto’s frontcourt and should get plenty of easy looks in the paint.
The Pelicans are allowing just 99.2 points per game, but they allowed 111 points in each of their two losses and Toronto should improve on its 99-point performance in the opener after going just 14-for-46 from 3-point range.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Top 10 Ball family headlines of the year (Lonzo Wire)
- 10 players most likely to sign max deals (Hoops Hype)
Follow Esten McLaren on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]