The 2019-20 NBA season gets underway at the home of the defending champions as Toronto Raptors host New Orleans Pelicans at Scotiabank Arena, on Wednesday morning.
Raptors are the world champions but the expectation factor should be commensurate with the roster Nick Fury has at his disposal for this season, or in particular, it should be in-line with the departure of Kawhi Leonard to Los Angeles Clippers in the off-season.
Kawhi Leonard’s contribution to Toronto Raptors’ championship run last season was commendable but Nick Nurse was a decisive factor as well. He kept resting Kawhi during the course of the regular season, keeping the former San Antonio Spurs star fresh for the playoffs. While his tactics were spot on, and he also helped Pascal Siakam take his game to another level.
But the real test for Nurse starts now as he is without Leonard and an All-Star in his line-up.
New Orleans Pelicans had a tough last season as they missed out on the playoffs for the third time in the last four years. But it’s the departure of Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason which hurt the fans most.
Still, there is optimism surrounding the Pelicans after the team management did fantastic business in the offseason. The no-1 draft pick Zion Williamson is certainly a super talent who can do some wonderful things, while new arrivals like Brandon Ingram, JJ Redick, and Derrick Favors adds to the excitement.
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MATCH DETAILS:
Match Timing: October 23, @ 05:30 AM IST
Venue – Scotiabank Arena, Canada
Capacity- 19,800
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NOP vs TOR DREAM11 Team News:
Toronto Raptors –
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been ruled from the first game through a groin injury. The 24-year-old forward missed the last preseason game and is yet to regain his full fitness.
Patrick McCaw is also listed as out of Raptors’ Game-1 due to a knee injury.
Toronto Raptors squad for the NBA Regular Season 2019-20:
Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Norman Powell, Terence Davis, Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Patrick McCaw, Johnson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Thomas, Malcolm Miller, Isaiah Taylor, Chris Boucher, Dewan Hernandez
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New Orleans Pelicans –
New Orleans Pelicans’ superstar first-round No-1 draft pick Zion Williamson has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks after the player underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee, and will miss six to eight weeks.
Darius Miller has been ruled out from Orleans’ season-opener against Raptors due to Achilles tendon injury.
New Orleans Pelicans squad for the NBA Regular Season 2019-20:
New Orleans Pelicans:
JJ Redick, Kenrich Williams, Zion Williamson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Lonzo Ball, Zylan Cheatham, Derrick Favors, Josh Gray, Josh Hart, Jaxson Hayes, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, Frank Jackson, Nicolo Melli, Darius Miller, E’Twaun Moore, Jahlil Okafor
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NOP vs TOR Dream11 Playing Team (Probable 5) :
Toronto Raptors – Kyle Lowry, Norman Powell, Marc Gasol, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam
New Orleans Pelicans – Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, JJ Reddick, Brandon Ingram, Derrick Favors
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NOP vs TOR Dream11 Fantasy Picks:
Pascal Siakam
Kyle Lowry
Jrue Holiday
JJ Redick
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NOP vs TOR Dream11 teams:
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NOP vs TOR Dream11 Predictions:
Raptors lead the all-time regular-season series 23-14 against the New Orleans Pelicans, with both the teams splitting the last four.
Raptors are at home and Pelicans are without Zion Williamson. So we back the host to edge this one out here.