The Toronto Raptors are finally turning hustle into victories, and there’s plenty at stake tonight against a New Orleans Pelicans team that’s right there with them in the race for lottery ping-pong balls.
Toronto has won three in a row, and five of its last six games, and my Pelicans vs. Raptors predictions expect another strong outing from Scottie Barnes & Co. tonight.
This feels like a night for the stars to shine, and my NBA picks for this January 27 matchup include a tasty Zion Williamson prop.
Raptors vs Pelicans prediction
My Raptors pick
Scottie Barnes Over 14.5 rebounds + assists (-130 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
Scottie Barnes came into the 2024/25 season with a simple message: ‘I just want to win now.’ There hasn’t been much of that for the Toronto Raptors this year, but Barnes has been the spark for the team’s upswing over the past two weeks.
While his scoring has blown hot and cold, his impact has been felt all over the box score, giving the Raptors a glimpse of a brighter future, and he’s poised for a big workload again tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans.
With both teams missing key starters, I love the Over on Barnes’ rebounds + assists combo. He’s breezed past this 14.5 number in three of his last four outings, including 12 boards and seven dimes against the Hawks on Saturday, and the Pelicans don’t have the wing defenders to keep him out of the paint.
New Orleans arrives without Dejounte Murray and Herb Jones, and that leaves the visitors vulnerable on the perimeter. They gave up 123 points to the Hornets at the weekend, on the heels of getting torched for 139 points by the Grizzlies on Friday — so Barnes should have ample chances to flash his playmaking skills.
With Immanuel Quickley still sidelined, Barnes has a decent floor for his assist tally. He’s finished with 7+ dimes in four of his last five games, building on his connection with R.J Barrett, and he’s averaging almost nine boards per game across his last eight contests.
The Raptors are believing again, and they’ll have a good shot at a fourth straight win if Barnes continues his do-it-all play.
Raptors vs Pelicans same-game parlay
Scottie Barnes Over 14.5 rebounds + assists
Zion Williamson Over 21.5 points
Gradey Dick Over 13.5 points
Zion sightings have been a little less rare so far in 2025, and the Pelicans are going to need his A-game tonight. It’s going to be up to Williamson, C.J. McCollum and Trey Murphy III to carry the scoring load for New Orleans here, and that should mean 20+ shots for Zion.
He had 28 points on 11-for-20 shooting against Charlotte last time out, and he’s averaging 22.2 ppg across five games this month. Williamson’s explosiveness is going to be a problem for Toronto, especially if Jakob Poeltl is ruled out.
I’m rounding out my SGP with a Gradey Dick prop. His offensive role grows when Davion Mitchell is filling in for Quickley in the backcourt — and, even with fewer 3-point looks in January, he’s finding other ways to score.
He had 17 points in the win over the Magic last week, and 15 points in the first of two victories over the Hawks. In a contest that could be short on lockdown defense, I see Dick walking into some easy shots on the way to this Over.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Raptors vs Pelicans odds
Raptors vs Pelicans live odds
Raptors vs Pelicans opening odds
- Spread: Toronto -2 | New Orleans +2
- Moneyline: Toronto -130 | New Orleans +110
- Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5
Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada.
Raptors vs Pelicans spread and Over/Under analysis
- Though the Raptors have climbed to a more respectable 10-13 at Scotiabank Arena, I’m staying away from the moneyline with Poeltl, Toronto’s defensive anchor, listed as questionable with a back issue.
- The Pelicans are 8-2 ATS in the past 10 meetings between these teams, but they’re just 4-18 overall on the road this season.
- The Over is 25-20-1 for New Orleans this year, and it’s 6-2 in the visitors’ last eight contests.
- The Under is 6-4 in the teams’ past 10 matchups, including Toronto’s 119-93 victory in New Orleans in November.
Raptors vs Pelicans trend
The Raptors have only hit the first-half Over in 14 of their last 37 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Pelicans.
How to watch Raptors vs Pelicans
| Location | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date | Monday, 1-27-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | TSN |
Raptors vs Pelicans latest injuries
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