Pelicans vs Raptors Picks and Predictions: Back Raps to Win Sixth Straight

The Toronto Raptors look to extend their five-game winning streak as they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to Scotiabank Arena on Sunday night.

After a nightmare December where the Raps lineup was barely recognizable, things are looking up in the T-Dot while the Pels have struggled amidst the absence of Zion Williamson.

Here are our best free Pelicans vs. Raptors NBA picks and predictions for Sunday, January 9, with tipoff at 6 p.m. ET. 

Pelicans vs Raptors odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

The Raptors opened as 7.5-point home favorites with the Over/Under at 225. Early money has come in on Toronto and the Under, shifting the line to Raptors -8 and the total to 222.5. When these teams last faced off against each other, just over a year ago, the Pelicans won 120-116 as slim 1-point home underdogs. 

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Pelicans vs Raptors predictions

• Prediction: Raptors -8 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 222.5 (-110)
• Best bet: VanVleet Over 22.5 points (-105)

Predictions made on 01/9/2022 at 12:05 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Pelicans vs Raptors game info

• Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
• Date: Sunday, January 9, 2022
• Tip-off: 6:00 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN, BSNO

Pelicans vs Raptors betting preview

Injuries

Pelicans: Josh Hart SG (Out), Tomas Satoransky SG (Out), Zion Williamson PF (Out), Kira Lewis Jr.PG (Out).
Raptors: Yuta Watanabe SG (Out), Goran Dragic PG (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Raptors are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Raptors.

Pelicans vs Raptors picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

Toronto has won five games in a row to improve its record to 19-17. The Raptors had a brutal stretch in December where they were practically playing a G-League lineup with virtually their entire rotation in the league's health and safety protocols. But now the situation is reversed with a healthy Toronto squad facing off against some depleted opponents.

During that winning streak, the Raps have played the Knicks without Julius Randle and Kemba Walker, the Clippers without Paul George, the Spurs without Dejounte Murray, the Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo, and a Jazz team that was missing all five starters. 

The Pelicans are coming off a 101-96 win over the Warriors but they also benefited from a short-handed opponent with Golden State playing without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. New Orleans is 2-4 SU and ATS in its last six games and is 14-25 SU (17-22 ATS) on the season.

The Pels really miss big man Zion Williamson who had his season debut delayed once again with last week's update that he's still rehabbing away from the team following offseason foot surgery. Without Williamson, the Pels have struggled on both ends of the floor, ranking 25th in the NBA in offensive rating and 24th on defense. 

Now that the Raptors are finally healthy we're able to see how Fred VanVleet, O.G. Anunoby, and Pascal Siakam look on the floor together, and damn it's nice. All three have great chemistry together and while Rookie of the Year candidate Scottie Barnes has taken a back seat when it comes to scoring, he continues to stuff the stat sheet in other areas.

The Raptors have scored at least 116 points in each of their last five games and haven't relied on streaky shooting to get there, instead dominating on the glass and rarely turning the ball over. 

Brandon Ingram and former Raptor Jonas Valunciunas have carried the offensive load for New Orleans but there isn't much scoring depth behind them. The Pels average just 103.1 points per game on 42.5 percent shooting on the road and they won't be able to keep pace with the surging Raps tonight. 

Prediction: Raptors -8 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

The Raptors are a modest 16th in the league in scoring with 108.3 ppg but that number is deflated from missing Siakam early in the season, their COVID-19 woes last month, and the slow pace they played at for much of the year. Now they're playing at a faster tempo and have been filling up the hoop, averaging 120.8 ppg over their last five games. 

While it is fair to point out that those teams the Raps faced weren't at full strength the Pels aren't exactly stout on the defensive end of the floor either. New Orleans allows foes to shoot 47 percent from the field, the third-worst mark in the league. 

With the Raptors going 7-0 O/U in their last seven home games and the Pelicans cashing the Over in four straight contests on the road, go against the line movement and take the Over. 

Prediction: Over 222.5 (-110)

Best bet

A big reason for Toronto's offensive turnaround has been the play of VanVleet who led the Raptors' comeback against the Jazz on Friday by erupting for 37 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds while shooting 12-22 from the field.

The veteran guard has been on fire lately, averaging 30.4 ppg over his last seven games. He has a 48.3 FG% over that span while averaging 21 field goal attempts per game, so you know the volume will be there. 

The Pelicans are one of the worst teams in the league at defending against point guards, allowing the fifth-most ppg (23.1) on the second-highest FG% (45.6). With VanVleet scoring at least 27 points in six of his last seven games, grab the Over 22.5 on his points total tonight. 

Pick: Fred VanVleet Over 22.5 points (-105)

Pages related to this topic