Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Toronto Raptors
When: Friday, Nov. 8, 8:00 p.m ET
Where: Smoothie King Center
How to watch: Fox Sports
The Pelicans find themselves in a funk seven games into the season. Despite a series of strong performances on the road and at home, New Orleans is just 1-6 on the year following a loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Matters have gotten worse during the week as Lonzo Ball missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday and will be a game-time decision on Friday evening.
The Raptors await the Pelicans for the second time this season as the team completes its two-game series in the opening weeks of the season. Since the opening night contest, Toronto has gone 4-2 with Pascal Siakam flourishing in his new role, averaging 25.6 points and 9.1 rebounds on the year.
Kyle Lowry has regained his former All-Star form, averaging 24.0 points, 6.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds per contest. Fred Van Vleet (15.6 points), Serge Ibaka (14.9) and OG Anunoby (12.7) all average double-digit points on the year as well.
The Raptors have a top-ten offense in the league to start the year, ranking ninth in offensive rating of 108.8. The biggest difference between the two sides comes on the defensive side of the ball where the Raptors rank 13th with a rating of 104.0 while the Pelicans are 29th with a rating of 114.8.
Toronto does rank third in effective field goal percentage buoyed by ranking first in the league in corner three-point percentage and third overall in shooting from deep. Defensively, the Raptors are the best in the league at defending the rim,
