Key moments
The Toronto Raptors are set to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 27, 2026, at 8:30 PM ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. This matchup comes on the heels of the Raptors being favored by 8.5 points, a reflection of their recent form and the Pelicans’ struggles.
In their last encounter earlier this month, the Raptors defeated the Pelicans 122-111, marking a significant victory that has set the stage for this upcoming game. The Pelicans are currently on a three-game losing streak, having lost their last match by 21 points against the Detroit Pistons, which adds pressure as they prepare to face a Raptors team eager to capitalize on their home advantage.
Jakob Poeltl has emerged as a key player for the Raptors, averaging 12.7 points per game over his last 12 outings. His performance will be crucial as the Raptors look to exploit the Pelicans’ weaknesses, particularly their ranking of 24th in opponent points in the paint per game and 19th in rebounding rate. The Raptors have also been effective at home, winning and covering the spread in their last three home games.
However, the Raptors will be without Dejounte Murray, who is sitting out for load management reasons. Despite this setback, the return of backup player Collin Murray-Boyles from injury provides a boost to the Raptors’ depth. The total points for the game are set at 228.5, indicating expectations for a competitive scoring battle.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic commented on the team’s preparation, stating, “After watching the film, I thought that we did not handle that situation the way we want, that we were supposed to.” This highlights the team’s focus on improving their performance following their previous matchup against the Pelicans.
The Pelicans, while facing challenges, are not in a tanking situation. They possess a young nucleus and are led by an interim head coach, aiming to build for the future rather than simply looking to lose games. This dynamic adds an interesting layer to the matchup, as the Pelicans will be motivated to prove their competitiveness.
As the game approaches, the Raptors are viewed as the favorites, and many believe this is a great opportunity for them to extend their winning streak to four games against a fatigued Pelicans squad. The anticipation builds as fans look forward to seeing how both teams will perform under the spotlight.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any last-minute changes to the lineups, but the excitement surrounding the Pelicans vs Raptors matchup continues to grow.