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New Orleans Pelicans vs Toronto Raptors: Injury Updates, Expected Lineups, and Game Prediction

Published 01/02/2021, 4:30 PM EST

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The New Orleans Pelicans have had an impressive start to their season. The trio of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball has worked wonders for the side who see themselves with a start of three wins and two losses. With a superb win against the Thunder, the Pelicans will hope that they can carry forward this momentum in the next game.

The Raptors meanwhile finally won their first game in the NBA. They had a dismal start to their season and clearly are figuring out their ideal starting five. Nick Nurse will hope that their starting center Aron Baynes can step up and add to their offensive woes.

The Raptors face the Pelicans tonight at 7:30 PM EST. Let us take a look at the probable starting lineups and predictions for the game.

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New Orleans Pelicans injury updates and lineup prediction

The Toronto Raptors had a fantastic win against the OKC Thunder yesterday. After an off-night against the Suns, the win against the Thunder was much needed for the side.

USA Today via Reuters

Speaking of the injury report for NOLA, Wenyen Gabriel has been ruled out for the upcoming game against the Raptors. No other injuries have been for the Pelicans.

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The Pelicans will hope that they can replicate their performance from the first game against the Raptors. With a healthy roster, the Pelicans will be confident to win this game.

Probable Lineup

Lonzo Ball (G)

Eric Bledsoe (G)

Brandon Ingram (F)

Zion Williamson (F)

Steven Adams (C)

Toronto Raptors injury updates and lineup prediction

The Raptors finally won their first game of the regular season. They trumped the Knicks in a blowout victory. The interesting fact was that they were without their star Pascal Siakam and backup Norman Powell finally stepped up as he was given a starting spot.

Pascal Siakam has been putting up strong numbers, but not been the All-Star he was last season. Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry must perform better if the Raptors want to turn around their form. Apart from that, OG Anunoby hasn’t been that effective in the forward position.

USA Today via Reuters

With the performance that Powell had in a starting role, he is surely a big challenge for the starting role ahead of Anunoby. The biggest problem for the Raptors however has been their center position.

The Raptors’ guard Patrick McCaw might miss the game with a knee injury. Apart from that, no other injuries have been reported. The Raptors will hope that they can build from their first victory and get their first victory against the Pelicans.

Probable Lineup

Kyle Lowry (G)

Fred VanVleet (G)

Pascal Siakam (F)

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OG Anunoby (F)

Aron Baynes (C)

Predictions

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The Pelicans are coming off of a great win against the Thunder. Given how their young stars are performing, they are the favorites to win this game. Although the Raptors are coming off their first win, they are still figuring out their ideal starting five. They might struggle against a side like the Pelicans, given the abundance of size they have.

Prediction- The New Orleans Pelicans have a close win against the Toronto Raptors.

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Written by:

Aditya Mohapatra

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Aditya Mohapatra is a sports enthusiast who primarily covers the NBA for EssentiallySports. Having graduated in Mass Communication, he has prior experience in writing for ABP News, and has been writing for EssentiallySports since November 2020. This die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan feels that LeBron James is the best thing to have ever happened to the NBA, and will hold a healthy debate with anyone suggesting otherwise.
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