Can the Memphis Grizzlies score a much-needed win against their one-time Canadian rivals?
The Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors have a very similar-but-different feel between them this season.
Both teams are caught in some stage of the awkward purgatory between contending and rebuilding. They’re built around two stars that may not figure into their long-term plans. Both teams had ambitions of morphing into viable three-point threats this season and have so far failed.
But while the Grizzlies have stumbled amid a flurry of injuries, beefs and coach axings, the Raptors have perhaps beaten expectations thanks to a sneakily precocious bench.
Their paths collide Friday at FedEx Forum, as the Grizzlies look to rebound from their recent turmoil.
Here’s the tale of the tape:
Missing the Point
Mike Conley’s injury is a big minus for this game. Kyle Lowry’s broken out of his early-season slump in a large way, averaging 22/7/8.5 on 52 percent from the field over his last six games. At his best, he’s one of the most dangerous PGs out there; he’ll be tough for whoever Memphis throws at him.
Lowry is also a dog on defense, who loves putting pressure on ball-handlers, trapping would-be isolations and getting into the lane for drawn charges. Well-built to withstand the Grizzlies’ offense, he could be a bit of a nightmare on both ends.
Bench Mobbed
This season’s Raptors are flipping the notion that Lowry and Demar DeRozan drive their success. They cycle through varied iterations of a deep rotation. The team’s highest net ratings belong to Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby.
Meanwhile, Memphis’ bench has sputtered after a torrid start, with Tyreke Evans transplanted to the starting lineup and Ben McLemore returning to soak up minutes with sub-par basketball.
Toronto has enough permutations of its bench that even someone as dense as Dwane Casey should be able to find mismatches in this game.
Carry On Wayward Sons
It probably goes without saying that the Grizzlies will need a big game from Marc Gasol to stay competitive. With Conley out indefinitely, Gasol’s broad shoulders must carry a larger load. While he can drag Raptors’ starter Jonas Valanciunas away from the hoop (and thus out of his comfort zone), Toronto has been better with backup Jakob Poeltl, who’s fleeter of foot and can switch onto quicker players.
Similarly, Tyreke Evans will be counted on for an offensive punch. He’s likely to face a defense-by-committee through the Raps’ fluid lineup, and will have to pick his spots attacking Demar DeRozan or Norm Powell, as opposed to Anunoby who’s already a superior defender. If Gasol and Evans can’t carry the load offensively, the Grizzlies are toast.
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Parting Shots
The past few seasons of Raps-Grizz matchups have held intrigue beyond the nostalgia of the once-Canadian clash. Both teams have been playoff staples, making for skilled and competitive contests.
Unfortunately, this Grizzlies’ season has taken a drastic turn for the worse. They’re a far shallower team than Toronto and will need their best efforts and perhaps a bit of luck to pull off a W.
Game Info
WHO: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Toronto Raptors
WHEN: 7:00 PM – ct
WHERE: FedEx Forum – Memphis, TN
HOW TO WATCH: Fox Sports Southeast
HOW TO LISTEN: 92.9 ESPN – Memphis