New Orleans Pelicans vs. Toronto Raptors Predictions, Picks and NBA Preview – January 31, 2017

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Preview

Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON

When: Tuesday, January 31, 2017, 7:00 PM ET

Line: New Orleans Pelicans (+7.5) at Toronto Raptors (-7.5); total: 215.0 – view all NBA lines

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Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans (19-29)

Point Spread: +7.5

Failing to gain any sort of momentum yet again are the New Orleans Pelicans, who lost to the Washington Wizards on Sunday, 107-94.

That defeat wrapped up a weird six-game homestand for New Orleans, who secured narrow victories over the Cavaliers and the Spurs but also allowed 143 points and lost by 29 to the lowly Nets. The Pelicans finished with an underwhelming 3-3 record in those contests from the Big Easy, and will now enter a stretch of games with nine of 12 on the road.

Anthony Davis was his typical beastly self on Sunday, recording 36 points, 17 rebounds, three steals and two blocks. But as it has been for most of the season, New Orleans truly lacks the necessary playmakers to complement Davis.

Only one other player on the team, Jrue Holiday, is pitching in well for the Pels of late. Holiday finished with 26 points and 11 dimes against Washington, giving him three double-doubles in three of his last four outings. Holiday is also averaging 24 points and 10 assists in that span, but the team is still shooting woefully as a whole. New Orleans ranks 25th in the league with a team field-goal percentage of 44.2 percent for the season.

A trip back to Canada is the last thing the Pelicans need for them to string together some wins, as they’ve lost eight of their last 10 meetings versus the Raptors (2-7-1 ATS).

Betting on the Toronto Raptors (29-19)

Point Spread: -7.5

The 114-113 loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday sent the Toronto Raptors to a new low this season. They’ve now lost six of their last seven games (2-5 ATS) and their 7-9 record in January guarantees them a losing record with a calendar month for the first time since March of 2015.

While the Raptors’ offense is still pretty much in sync, their defense on the other end of the floor continues to collapse. Although their last three losses were decided by a combined five points, they’ve still given up an average of 107.5 points in their last six defeats. For the season, Toronto is 17-15 when it surrenders 100 or more points to the opposition.

Nevertheless, the team’s two All-Stars are back working in tandem, with DeMar DeRozan returning from his three-game absence dealing with a minor ankle injury. DeRozan finished Sunday night with 22 points, seven board and six assists in 36 minutes of action. However, he also went 6-of-18 from the field (33 percent), clearly showing a little bit of rust in his return.

Meanwhile, running mate Kyle Lowry was spectacular again, scoring a team-high 33 points along with eight assists. It’s Lowry’s sixth 30-point game this season after having a total of eight in the previous season.

It won’t be long until the Raptors regain their composure once more and retain a good grip of the second seed in the East, especially with a healthy DeRozan back and with the visiting Pelicans up ahead. Not only have they owned the Pelicans in general, they’re much better at beating them at the Air Canada Centre all the more. Toronto has won five of its last six home games against New Orleans (4-1-1 ATS).

Writer’s Prediction

The Raptors (-7.5) do just enough to hand the Pelicans an ‘L’ and cover the spread, 112-103.

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