It’s the 2020-21 NBA regular-season opener for the Pelicans and Raptors as they meet Wednesday night from the Raptors’ temporary home in Tampa, Fla.
The Dinos opened as 5.5-point favourites on the NBA odds.
Just like the Blue Jays weren’t able to play a single game in Toronto during the 2020 MLB season due to COVID-19 restrictions at the USA/Canada border, it’s quite possible the Raptors will not play a true home game at all, either.
The players were given a few options as a temporary home and voted for Tampa – not a huge surprise considering the weather in the winter, and there are plenty of Canadians in the Sunshine State through the winter. Super Bowl 55 is also being held in Tampa.
Realistically, Tampa was the only Florida option as it has an NBA-ready arena where the NHL’s Lightning play, while Orlando and Miami already have NBA teams. The Raptors’ slogan this year? “We The South.”
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
If the Pelicans opening the regular season at the Raptors sounds familiar, that’s because it happened to tip off the 2019-20 season at Scotiabank Arena. Before the game, the Raptors received the biggest championship rings in NBA history and unfurled their NBA championship banner from the previous season. Toronto would win the game, too, 130-122 in overtime behind 34 points from Fred VanVleet and 34 points and 18 rebounds from Pascal Siakam.
It was Toronto’s seventh straight win in a season opener. The Dinos would sweep the season series a couple of weeks later with a 122-104 victory in New Orleans. Siakam had 44 points and 10 rebounds. It should be noted that Pelicans young star Zion Williamson played in neither due to injury.
Toronto is 9-1 in the past 10 meetings and 7-3 against the spread. The Raptors will visit New Orleans on Jan. 2 and that will wrap up the season series.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have one of the best young groups in the NBA led by Williamson, who finished runner-up for last season’s Rookie of the Year honours despite being limited to 24 games due to injury, and 2019-20 Most Improved Player Award winner Brandon Ingram. The Pels did trade away their third-best player, guard Jrue Holiday, to Milwaukee for multiple draft picks and guard Eric Bledsoe. That makes the Pelicans a bit worse now, but Holiday is set for free agency after this season and all those future first-round picks could be extremely valuable in a trade.
New Orleans also acquired centre Steven Adams in a deal with Oklahoma City. Toronto native Nickeil Alexander-Walker should have a bigger role this season after averaging only 12.6 minutes as a rookie. The Pelicans are 0-4 ATS in their past four on the road.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors were last seen losing Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, 92-87, to the Boston Celtics in the Orlando bubble – obviously ending any dreams of an NBA championship repeat. Toronto’s biggest offseason piece of business was to re-sign VanVleet, and he got a four-year, $85 million (US) extension. That’s a historic deal for a former undrafted player. VanVleet averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 35.7 minutes last season.
The Dinos will be relying heavily on their backcourt of VanVleet and Lowry (along with Siakam, OG Anunoby and Norman Powell) after losing big men Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol in free agency. To try and fill their void, the team signed Aron Baynes and Alex Len. Baynes should start from Day 1, while first-round rookie guard Malachi Flynn should get decent time on the reserve unit. The Raptors are 2-5 ATS in their past seven from last season.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Pelicans vs. Raptors?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 23 Dec 5:33pm | NO | -3.5 -110 | O +228.5 -110 |
| Closing 23 Dec 10:41pm | NO | -4.5 -115 | O +228.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
Pelicans Team Leaders
| Points |
27 |
| Assists |
5.75 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.49 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
| Points |
21.36 |
| Assists |
7.35 |
| Rebounds |
7.58 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
| Points |
27 |
| Assists |
5.75 |
| Rebounds |
8.86 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.49 |
| Blocks |
0.86 |
| Points |
21.36 |
| Assists |
7.35 |
| Rebounds |
7.58 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
Injuries
James Johnson (PF)
Naji Marshall (PF)
Wes Iwundu (SF)
Lonzo Ball (PG)
Brandon Ingram (SF)
Steven Adams (C)
Lonzo Ball (PG)
Steven Adams (C)
Steven Adams (C)
Steven Adams (C)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Jalen Harris (PG)
Yuta Watanabe (SG)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Johnson (PF) | Ques Sun | Knee - 15 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Johnson was forced from the last contest with a left knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday's battle with the Lakers clouded. |
|||||
| Naji Marshall (PF) | Prob Fri | Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Marshall was removed from the last game with a right shoulder injury, but he is expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Warriors. |
|||||
| Wes Iwundu (SF) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Iwundu sat out the last game due to a left shoulder sprain, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Lonzo Ball (PG) | out for season | Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Ball is out of commission with a right thumb strain, and he miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Brandon Ingram (SF) | out for season | Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21 | 4-2 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Ingram is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a low-left ankle sprain. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | out for season | Toe - 05 / 05 / 21 | 4-2 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Adams will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with a right toe sprain. |
|||||
| Lonzo Ball (PG) | Prob Tues | Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Ball is managing a right thumb sprain, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Tues | Toe - 29 / 04 / 21 | 8-3 | 3-8 | + - |
|
Adams has missed the last three games with a right toe sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Warriors on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Wed | Toe - 25 / 04 / 21 | 8-4 | 3-9 | + - |
|
Adams missed the last game with a sprained right toe, but it is likely that he will lace up for Wednesday's clash with the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21 | 9-4 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Adams exited the previous contest with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup Saturday versus the Spurs. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Sun | Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Sunday's showdown with the Pacers as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Out Sun | Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
VanVleet will not line up against the Pacers on Sunday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Friday's showdown with the Mavericks as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Out Fri | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
VanVleet will not line up against the Mavericks on Friday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Jalen Harris (PG) | Doub Fri | Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Harris is nursing a foot injury, and he is not expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Mavericks. |
|||||
| Yuta Watanabe (SG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Watanabe was held out of the previous game with a foot injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Pacers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Chris Boucher (PF) | Ques Fri | Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Boucher missed the last game due to a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will participate in Friday's contest with the Mavericks. |
|||||
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Thursday's showdown with the Bulls as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
VanVleet will not line up against the Bulls on Thursday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Kyle Lowry (PG) | Out Tues | Rest - 10 / 05 / 21 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Lowry will not be in the lineup against the Clippers on Tuesday, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 23 Dec 5:33pm NO -3.5 -110 O +228.5 -110 Closing 23 Dec 10:41pm NO -4.5 -115 O +228.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
Pelicans Team Leaders
Points 27
Assists 5.75
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.49
Blocks 0.86
Points 21.36
Assists 7.35
Rebounds 7.58
FG% 100
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.85
-
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
Points 27
Assists 5.75
Rebounds 8.86
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.49
Blocks 0.86
Points 21.36
Assists 7.35
Rebounds 7.58
FG% 100
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.85
-
Injuries
James Johnson (PF)
Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21Naji Marshall (PF)
Prob Fri Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21Wes Iwundu (SF)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21Lonzo Ball (PG)
out for season Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21Brandon Ingram (SF)
out for season Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21Steven Adams (C)
out for season Toe - 05 / 05 / 21Lonzo Ball (PG)
Prob Tues Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Tues Toe - 29 / 04 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Wed Toe - 25 / 04 / 21Steven Adams (C)
Prob Sat Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Jalen Harris (PG)
Doub Fri Foot - 14 / 05 / 21Yuta Watanabe (SG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21Chris Boucher (PF)
Ques Fri Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Tues Rest - 10 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes James Johnson (PF) Ques Sun Knee - 15 / 05 / 21 0-2 2-0 + - Johnson was forced from the last contest with a left knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday's battle with the Lakers clouded.
Naji Marshall (PF) Prob Fri Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Marshall was removed from the last game with a right shoulder injury, but he is expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Warriors.
Wes Iwundu (SF) Ques Sun Shoulder - 13 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Iwundu sat out the last game due to a left shoulder sprain, and it is unclear if he will play against the Lakers on Sunday.
Lonzo Ball (PG) out for season Thumb - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 2-1 + - Ball is out of commission with a right thumb strain, and he miss the remainder of the season.
Brandon Ingram (SF) out for season Ankle - 05 / 05 / 21 4-2 2-4 + - Ingram is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a low-left ankle sprain.
Steven Adams (C) out for season Toe - 05 / 05 / 21 4-2 2-4 + - Adams will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with a right toe sprain.
Lonzo Ball (PG) Prob Tues Thumb - 04 / 05 / 21 4-3 2-5 + - Ball is managing a right thumb sprain, but it is likely that he will dress for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Tues Toe - 29 / 04 / 21 8-3 3-8 + - Adams has missed the last three games with a right toe sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Warriors on Tuesday.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Wed Toe - 25 / 04 / 21 8-4 3-9 + - Adams missed the last game with a sprained right toe, but it is likely that he will lace up for Wednesday's clash with the Nuggets.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Sat Ankle - 23 / 04 / 21 9-4 4-9 + - Adams exited the previous contest with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup Saturday versus the Spurs.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Sunday's showdown with the Pacers as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - VanVleet will not line up against the Pacers on Sunday as he will be given a day of rest.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Friday's showdown with the Mavericks as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - VanVleet will not line up against the Mavericks on Friday as he will be given a day of rest.
Jalen Harris (PG) Doub Fri Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Harris is nursing a foot injury, and he is not expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Mavericks.
Yuta Watanabe (SG) Ques Sun Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - Watanabe was held out of the previous game with a foot injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Pacers on Sunday.
Chris Boucher (PF) Ques Fri Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - Boucher missed the last game due to a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will participate in Friday's contest with the Mavericks.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Thursday's showdown with the Bulls as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21 1-2 1-2 + - VanVleet will not line up against the Bulls on Thursday as he will be given a day of rest.
Kyle Lowry (PG) Out Tues Rest - 10 / 05 / 21 1-3 1-3 + - Lowry will not be in the lineup against the Clippers on Tuesday, as he will be given a day of rest.