PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* Total MASSACRE ($20!) >> Swept Monday! 9-3-1 L13! +$10K Season!
(NBA) New Orleans vs. Toronto,
Total: 214.00 | -100.00 Under
Result: Push
Total: 214.00 | -100.00 Under
Result: Push
The set-up: The 19-29 Pelicans are coming off a 3-3 homestand in which they allowed 143 points in a loss to the Nets (??), while beating the Cavs and Spurs. As the saying goes, "Go figure?" They now begin a stretch of nine of 12 on the road with tonight's game in Toronto against teh 29-19 Raptors, who are just 7-9 in January.
New Orleans: The Pelicans are just 6-15 SU on the road this season, so they'll need to improve on that record in order to survive this stretch of games, if they have any hopes of earning that "up-for-grabs" 8th playoff spot in the West. Currently, six teams are within four games of each other. All Star forward Anthony Davis (28.0 & 12.2) said it best. "We proved that we can play with anybody if we play the right way," he said. "We've got to come out and play desperate, each and every game. Even though we proved something on this homestand, we don't have that much room for error, especially battling for the eighth spot (in the Western Conference playoffs). There are a lot of other teams battling as well. We've got to do a little bit more."
Toronto: The Raptors have now lost six of their past seven games after dropping a 114-113 decision to the visiting Orlando Magic on Sunday. Orlando fell apart during the second quarter on Sunday when Orlando went on a 19-0 run to take the lead. "It's everybody, and that is what I told the team," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said when questioned about the lack of defense. "Everybody is involved, the whole group in this room, we're all accountable for this." However, there was good news on Sunday, as DeMar DeRozan (27.8-5.4-3.9) returned after missing the previous three games with a sprained ankle to score 22 points Sunday. DeRozan added after the game, "We can't rely on the offense, because we always have a great quarter or two quarters offensively. But, we can't rely on that to win us the game. We have to rely on four quarters defensively to get us through the game and let the offense take care of itself."
The pick: The Raptors have won 10 of the last 13 meetings with the Pelicans, including going 2-0 against New Orleans last season. Slowing down Toronto's offense here at Air Canada Centre will be a tough assignment, as the Raptors are averaging 112.7 PPG at home. The home loss to the Magic was a bit of an aberration, as Toronto had won its previous seven home games against the Magic and 14 of the previous 15 meetings overall. However, Toronto has allowed 108 or more points in four of its previous seven games, so trusting them as a favorite would be dangerous. Make the Over a 10* play.
New Orleans: The Pelicans are just 6-15 SU on the road this season, so they'll need to improve on that record in order to survive this stretch of games, if they have any hopes of earning that "up-for-grabs" 8th playoff spot in the West. Currently, six teams are within four games of each other. All Star forward Anthony Davis (28.0 & 12.2) said it best. "We proved that we can play with anybody if we play the right way," he said. "We've got to come out and play desperate, each and every game. Even though we proved something on this homestand, we don't have that much room for error, especially battling for the eighth spot (in the Western Conference playoffs). There are a lot of other teams battling as well. We've got to do a little bit more."
Toronto: The Raptors have now lost six of their past seven games after dropping a 114-113 decision to the visiting Orlando Magic on Sunday. Orlando fell apart during the second quarter on Sunday when Orlando went on a 19-0 run to take the lead. "It's everybody, and that is what I told the team," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said when questioned about the lack of defense. "Everybody is involved, the whole group in this room, we're all accountable for this." However, there was good news on Sunday, as DeMar DeRozan (27.8-5.4-3.9) returned after missing the previous three games with a sprained ankle to score 22 points Sunday. DeRozan added after the game, "We can't rely on the offense, because we always have a great quarter or two quarters offensively. But, we can't rely on that to win us the game. We have to rely on four quarters defensively to get us through the game and let the offense take care of itself."
The pick: The Raptors have won 10 of the last 13 meetings with the Pelicans, including going 2-0 against New Orleans last season. Slowing down Toronto's offense here at Air Canada Centre will be a tough assignment, as the Raptors are averaging 112.7 PPG at home. The home loss to the Magic was a bit of an aberration, as Toronto had won its previous seven home games against the Magic and 14 of the previous 15 meetings overall. However, Toronto has allowed 108 or more points in four of its previous seven games, so trusting them as a favorite would be dangerous. Make the Over a 10* play.
