The Toronto Raptors travel to Louisiana to face the New Orleans Pelicans on March 11, 2026, in an important late-season NBA matchup at the Smoothie King Center. While the teams are in different positions in the standings, the game still carries significance for both franchises as the regular season moves toward the final stretch.
Toronto enters the contest looking to bounce back after a loss against the Houston Rockets. Despite that setback, the Raptors remain one of the stronger teams in the Eastern Conference and are currently fighting to hold a top-five seed. Their success this season has largely been built on solid defense, efficient ball movement, and balanced scoring from multiple players such as Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley.
New Orleans, meanwhile, has had a difficult season overall but has shown flashes of improvement recently. The Pelicans have won several games over the past couple of weeks and continue to rely on the offensive power of Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy. Even though they are outside the Western Conference play-in race, the team still aims to finish the season strongly and compete hard in home games.
Toronto has also been a very strong road team this season, which gives them confidence heading into this matchup. However, the Pelicans have shown they can score in bunches, meaning this game could become a high-scoring contest if both teams find their offensive rhythm early.
With playoff pressure on Toronto and pride on the line for New Orleans, fans can expect a competitive and entertaining NBA battle on Wednesday night.
Match Information
| Match | Toronto Raptors vs New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|
| League | NBA Regular Season |
| Date | March 11, 2026 |
| Venue | Smoothie King Center |
| City | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Tip-off Time | 8:00 PM ET |
| Broadcast | Sportsnet, Pelicans+ |
Current Standings
| Team | Record | Conference Position |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | 36–28 | Top-5 in East |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 21–45 | Bottom of West |
Toronto is trying to stay inside the automatic playoff spots, while New Orleans is playing mainly for pride and development in the final part of the season.
Also Read: Bam Adebayo Scores 83 Points for Miami Heat, Records Second-Highest Scoring Game in NBA History
Raptors vs Pelicans Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Raptors -2.5 |
| Over/Under | 234.5 |
| Moneyline | Raptors -130 |
| Moneyline | Pelicans +110 |
The Raptors enter the game as slight favorites due to their stronger record and defensive performance this season.
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Meetings | Raptors lead 23-13 |
| Last Meeting | Raptors 113 – Pelicans 104 |
| Recent Trend | Toronto has won two of the last three matchups |
Toronto has historically had the edge in this matchup and also won the most recent meeting between the teams earlier this season.
Recent Form
Toronto Raptors – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 11 | vs Rockets | Loss 99-113 |
| Mar 9 | vs Mavericks | Win 122-92 |
| Mar 6 | vs Timberwolves | Loss 107-115 |
| Mar 4 | vs Knicks | Loss 95-111 |
| Mar 1 | vs Wizards | Win 134-125 |
Toronto has won two of its last five games but remains competitive due to its defensive system and strong perimeter defense.
New Orleans Pelicans – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 9 | vs Wizards | Win 138-118 |
| Mar 7 | vs Suns | Loss 116-118 |
| Mar 6 | vs Kings | Win 133-123 |
| Mar 4 | vs Lakers | Loss 101-110 |
| Mar 2 | vs Clippers | Loss 117-137 |
New Orleans has shown some offensive improvement recently, scoring over 130 points in two of its recent victories.
Also Know: Most Free Throws Made in an NBA Game
Injury Report
Toronto Raptors
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Jakob Poeltl | Out / Questionable (Illness) |
| Jackson-Davis | Out |
| Hepburn | Out |
| Mueller-Boyles | Out |
The absence of Poeltl could impact Toronto’s rim protection and rebounding if he does not return.
New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Trey Alexander | Out |
| Josh Oduro | Out |
| Hunter Dickinson | Out |
| Bryce McGowens | Out |
New Orleans does not have major rotation players missing, which could help their offensive consistency.
Key Player Stats
Toronto Raptors
| Player | Points | Key Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Scottie Barnes | 18+ PPG | Two-way leader |
| RJ Barrett | 17-19 PPG | Driving scorer |
| Immanuel Quickley | 17+ PPG | Playmaking guard |
Quickley has recently increased his assist production and continues to control the Raptors’ offense.
New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | Points | Key Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | 20+ PPG | Primary scorer |
| Trey Murphy | 17-20 PPG | Shooting threat |
| Saddiq Bey | 18+ PPG | Perimeter scoring |
The Pelicans rely on balanced scoring rather than a single dominant offensive star.
Team Performance Comparison
| Category | Raptors | Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive Points | 113.7 PPG | 115.5 PPG |
| Defensive Rating | Top-10 defense | Bottom-five defense |
| Three-Point Defense | Excellent | Average |
| Recent Momentum | Mixed | Slight improvement |
Toronto’s defense has been one of the strongest in the league, especially against perimeter shooting.
Have a look also : Most Points in an NBA Game by a Player
Key Betting Trends
| Trend | Insight |
|---|---|
| Raptors vs Under .500 teams | 21-4 this season |
| Raptors Road Record | One of the league’s best |
| Pelicans Defense | Among worst in NBA |
| Recent Totals | Many Pelicans games high scoring |
These trends suggest Toronto has an advantage, especially against weaker teams.
Players to Watch
Toronto Raptors
- Scottie Barnes
- RJ Barrett
- Immanuel Quickley
New Orleans Pelicans
- Zion Williamson
- Trey Murphy
- Saddiq Bey
These players are expected to play the biggest roles in determining the outcome of the matchup.
Best Picks for Raptors vs Pelicans
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Spread | Raptors -2.5 |
| Moneyline | Raptors |
| Total Points | Under 234.5 |
| Player Pick | Immanuel Quickley Over 6.5 Assists |
Quickley’s playmaking and Toronto’s defensive strength make these betting options attractive.
Predicted Score
| Team | Score Prediction |
|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | 118 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 111 |
Final Prediction
The New Orleans Pelicans have shown signs of improvement recently, especially on the offensive side. However, their defensive issues continue to be a major concern throughout the season. Allowing high scoring totals has made it difficult for them to compete consistently against stronger teams.
Toronto, on the other hand, remains a disciplined defensive team that thrives against opponents with losing records. Even though the Raptors are coming off a loss and are playing the second game of a back-to-back, their road performance this season has been impressive.
With Scottie Barnes leading the defense and Immanuel Quickley controlling the pace of the offense, Toronto should be able to limit New Orleans’ scoring runs and build a steady lead.
Prediction: Toronto Raptors to win, with the total staying slightly under 234.5 points.
