The Toronto Raptors already wrap up their season series with the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, and the Dinos will miss Zion Williamson again.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

If Raptors fans want to get a look at Pelicans superstar rookie forward Zion Williamson this season, they will have to check out a New Orleans game on television in six weeks or so as Zion remains out following knee surgery – meaning he won’t face the Raptors until the 2020-21 season at the earliest. The Pelicans were expected to struggle some without the former No. 1 overall pick, but they have crashed-and-burned without Zion for the most part.

Toronto looks for the season sweep as on opening night (Oct. 22) when the Raptors players got their rings (biggest championship rings in league history) and the NBA title banner was raised to the Scotiabank Arena rafter, the Dinos were 6.5-point favourites against New Orleans and were 130-122 overtime winners. That was one of the better games New Orleans has played this season. Fred VanVleet scored a career-high 34 points, and Pascal Siakam fouled out with 34 points and 18 rebounds. Kyle Lowry had 22 points, including two free throws in OT that put Toronto ahead for good. Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 22 points.

The Raptors are 13-6 all-time on the road in this series and have won their past four in New Orleans. The underdog is 5-2 ATS in the past seven meetings. The over is 4-0-1 in the previous five.

Toronto Raptors

Potentially huge trap game for Toronto with massive matchups at the Lakers (Sunday) and Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers (Monday) up next. This one starts a tough five-game trip through the Western Conference and ties for the team’s longest road trip of the season. The Raptors avoided a home upset to the Kings on Wednesday, 124-120. Siakam continued to play like an MVP candidate with 23 points, 13 rebounds and five assists and finally stayed out of foul trouble. Lowry had 24 points and six assists, and OG Anunoby a season-high 18 points and a career-high five assists. The Dinos shot 55.1 per cent from the field. They also have made at least 10 3-point field goals in each of their first seven games. Toronto is 5-1 ATS in its past six vs. teams with a losing record.

New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans has been off since losing 135-125 in Brooklyn on Monday – the Pels’ only win this season was a home upset of Denver on Halloween. Ingram had a career-high 40 points in Monday’s loss and is carrying the offensive load with Zion out in averaging a career-best 25.9 points per game. Big man Derrick Favors returned from a three-game injury absence (knee) Monday but played only eight minutes. Lonzo Ball left early due to leg cramps but should be fine. The Pelicans are atrocious on defence, allowing a league-worst 124.3 points per game. This is the front end of a back-to-back so New Orleans could conceivably rest someone like Favors. The club has covered just one of its past 11 vs. the Eastern Conference.

Who Will Win Raptors vs. Pelicans?

Injuries

Toronto

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Wed Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)

Prob Sun Knee - 21 / 08 / 20

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20

OG Anunoby (SF)

Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 08 / 20

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Mon Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

Paul Watson (SG)

Doub Sun Back - 09 / 08 / 20

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Sun Eye - 08 / 08 / 20

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)

day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20

Oshae Brissett (PF)

Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 07 / 20

New Orleans

Josh Hart (SG)

Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 08 / 20

Jrue Holiday (PG)

Out Thurs Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

JJ Redick (SG)

day-to-day Hamstring - 28 / 02 / 20

Brandon Ingram (SF)

Ques Sat Ankle - 06 / 02 / 20

E'Twaun Moore (SG)

Prob Fri Neck - 28 / 01 / 20

Jrue Holiday (PG)

Prob Sun Knee - 25 / 01 / 20

Josh Hart (SG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 23 / 01 / 20

JJ Redick (SG)

Prob Fri Hamstring - 23 / 01 / 20

Josh Hart (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 21 / 01 / 20

Jrue Holiday (PG)

Prob Wed Elbow - 21 / 01 / 20

Injuries

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20	2-1	1-2	+ -
Ibaka is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 21 / 08 / 20	4-5	2-7	+ -
Hollis-Jefferson is bothered by swelling in his left knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Out Fri	Rest - 14 / 08 / 20	6-6	5-7	+ -
VanVleet will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Nuggets on Friday.
OG Anunoby (SF)	Prob Mon	Knee - 12 / 08 / 20	7-6	5-8	+ -
Anunoby is dealing with with soreness in his right knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Mon	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	8-6	5-9	+ -
Ibaka is bothered by a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	8-6	5-9	+ -
VanVleet missed the last game due to a hyperextended right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's contest against the 76ers.
Paul Watson (SG)	Doub Sun	Back - 09 / 08 / 20	8-7	5-10	+ -
Watson is dealing with soreness in his lower back, and he is not expected to be in the lineup Sunday against the Grizzlies.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Sun	Eye - 08 / 08 / 20	9-7	5-11	+ -
Ibaka was forced from the previous game due to an eye laceration, but he is likely to be active Sunday versus the Grizzlies.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)	day-to-day	Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20	11-7	5-13	+ -
Hollis-Jefferson exited Saturday's game with an ankle injury, and his return is in question.
Oshae Brissett (PF)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 31 / 07 / 20	11-7	5-13	+ -
Brissett is expected to be sideline for an extended period due to right knee surgery in order to remove loose bodies.

New Orleans

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Josh Hart (SG)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 12 / 08 / 20	0-2	0-2	+ -
Hart is battling a sore right knee, but he is expected to play against the Magic on Thursday.
Jrue Holiday (PG)	Out Thurs	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	0-2	0-2	+ -
Holiday missed the previous game with a right elbow contusion, and he will not be in Thursday's lineup versus the Magic.
JJ Redick (SG)	day-to-day	Hamstring - 28 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Redick is sidelined due to a left hamstring strain. It is unknown if he will play when the league starts back up.
Brandon Ingram (SF)	Ques Sat	Ankle - 06 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Ingram departed the previous game due to a right ankle sprain, and his status for Saturday's contest against the Pacers is clouded.
E'Twaun Moore (SG)	Prob Fri	Neck - 28 / 01 / 20	-	-	+ -
Moore missed the last game due to neck spasms, but he is expected to face the Grizzlies on Friday.
Jrue Holiday (PG)	Prob Sun	Knee - 25 / 01 / 20	-	-	+ -
Holiday is expected to play against the Celtics on Sunday despite left knee soreness.
Josh Hart (SG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 23 / 01 / 20	-	-	+ -
Hart is expected to play Friday versus the Nuggets despite left ankle soreness.
JJ Redick (SG)	Prob Fri	Hamstring - 23 / 01 / 20	-	-	+ -
Redick is battling a left hamstring strain, but he is likely to suit up against the Nuggets on Friday.
Josh Hart (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 21 / 01 / 20	-	-	+ -
Hart has a sore left ankle, but it is projected that he will play Wednesday versus the Spurs.
Jrue Holiday (PG)	Prob Wed	Elbow - 21 / 01 / 20	-	-	+ -
Holiday is anticipated to suit up against the Spurs on Wednesday despite a left elbow triceps strain.