Game #8: Toronto Raptors 122 - New Orleans Pelicans 104

[bertarapsfan]

The raps start the annual November west coast trip by first heading southeast. An offense battle on Wednesday left them on the right side of a high scoring tilt vs a fringe playoff contender in the west. They head into Bourbon street for the 2nd and final match up vs the Pelicans this season missing out on a chance to see the 19 year old hype train with knee problems. In the 1st match-up the young legs from Louisiana took advantage of a team caught up on ring night to get out to a good start. After a 30 footer from Norman Powell to end regulation that left everyone scratching there heads, the raps took care of business in over time walking away with a 130-122 win.

Don't let the poor record of the Pelicans fool you they have yet to be embarrassed, keeping most games within 10 points and have even pulled off a good win over the Nuggets. The only person inside the state of Louisiana who might not be looking forward to Zion's eventually return is Brandon "Slender Man" Ingram. The new leader of the Duke South squad is averaging 26 a night and finally looking like the player he was promised to be when he went number 2 in 2016. Stopping B.I from a big night will be essential to kill any hope of an upset for the team with the least intimidating mascot in all of sport.

Starting Lineups

Raptors






Pelicans





Berta's X Factor- O.G Anunoby has had a great start to the season contributing on both ends of the court. The main threat to score on the Pelicans is Ingram and O.G should get tasked with the defensive match up. Knocking down a couple 3's while making good cuts is all we need from the man who may actually might be making the jump we all hoped for. A solid defensive effort on Ingram will be huge if the raps want to walk out of New Orleans with a W.

Theme Music:

[Rudy Bargnani]

OG guarding Ingram is a matchup that I’m excited to watch. Prob both of them very very early candidates for most improved player

[G__Deane]

This is a road trip for boyz to leave on and men to return from

[Scraptor]

Kyle > Lonzo
Fred < Jrue
OG > Hart
Pascal > Bingram
Marc/Serge > Jah/Favors

Just gotta keep an eye on Redick and make sure he doesn't sneakily go off for 25-30.

Raps by 10+

[DanH]

Weird that we get both Pellies games in the first 10% of the season. Based on game 1, so long as the Raptors decide to show up on time this one should be pretty straightforward.

Also, game day!

[planetmars]

Just hope that Melli guy doesn't go off on us again.

[007]

Just hope that Melli guy doesn't go off on us again.

I mean, he’s only averaged 4.5 points since opening night.

So he’s definitely going off on us again

[Puffer]

I mean, he’s only averaged 4.5 points since opening night.

So he’s definitely going off on us again

24 1/2 years of basketball history summed up in 8 words.

[KeonClark]

24 1/2 years of basketball history summed up in 8 words.

Weeee are the champioooons, my friiiend (bam bam bam)

[bertarapsfan]

Raps are only 2.5 pt favorites somehow. For context the bucks are 3 pts favorite on the road in utah tonight.

[jacobdr4]

If we don’t win this one we could be in for a miserable road trip. Hopefully we come out to play tonight from the jump

[Demographic Shift]

If we don’t win this one we could be in for a miserable road trip. Hopefully we come out to play tonight from the jump

I am more than cautiously optimistic the Raps kick off the trip with a win in New Orleans tonight.

JJ Reddick is nicked up and is listed as day to day... who knows if he plays but the NBA bless their hearts actually let you know who is hurt and whats hurting unlike the Lower Body Injury you get from the NHL to inform you that a player has a broken leg.

New Orleans looks to be thin at the 5 slot. Gentry likes to play a raw rookie Jackson Hayes to see what he has. Okafor is available and so is Derrick Favours to play some in the middle. Good thing new orleans has lots of ice as Hayes is going to get worked over pretty good by both Gasol and Serge tonight. Favours won't be able to stay with Serge as Serge is quicker. Marc will handle the defensive glass against Okafor and Hayes without much difficulty.

Should be fun to watch OG on Brandon Ingram as Ingram is now an accomplished iso scorer. He can fill it up like Carmelo used to but he plays a little defense as well. Not sure if NO has anyone who can stay with Pascal tonight. He could get 30 again.

Ball and Holiday are going to give Kyle and Freddy fits tonight as they are really big guards. Norm.. .we need your defense tonight against these two and Josh Hart.

Raps calling card this year is defense. In a close one. Raps leave Nawlins with a win.

[The Great One]

Raps are only 2.5 pt favorites somehow. For context the bucks are 3 pts favorite on the road in utah tonight.

Because they barely beat the Pelicans in Toronto. Plus, the Pelicans are desperate for a win.

The Raps need to win tonight though because the next 4 games will be against 4 really good teams.

[KeonClark]

I think the raptors biggest hole is the 2 spot. I'm a big jrue holiday guy. His role seems lost since their trades, his production is down huge as hes taking a back seat to ingram and them.

would anyone be interested in something like vanvleet and Serge for jrue and okafor? Maybe they have interest in Powell but I highly doubt it

[G__Deane]

I think the raptors biggest hole is the 2 spot. I'm a big jrue holiday guy. His role seems lost since their trades, his production is down huge as hes taking a back seat to ingram and them.

would anyone be interested in something like vanvleet and Serge for jrue and okafor? Maybe they have interest in Powell but I highly doubt it

I would be all in on a trade or Serge or Marc or FVV or even Kyle if we got younger and more medium term upside. This is predicated on us being locked into the 4th or 5th seed which I could actually see the Raps slipping to if there are any significant injuries.