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Ranking the Memphis Grizzlies’ NBA Seeding Games

By AJ Salah

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 21: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket on Rajon Rondo #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter at Staples Center on February 21, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 21: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket on Rajon Rondo #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter at Staples Center on February 21, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies
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7. Toronto Raptors, Aug 9

Memphis’ matchup with Toronto might not offer much beyond a reunion for Raptors alum Jonas Valanciunas, and nostalgic Canadian fans. The sixth of eight seeding games, it will serve only one-way West playoff impact, and likewise a virtually 0% chance of these teams meeting again in Orlando.

The Raptors are going to be an extremely tough out. They lost Kawhi Leonard. They lost more win-shares to injury than any team in 2019-20. And they are still somehow an 86% favorite to nab the East’s 2-seed.

Fully-healthy, the Raptors are the NBA’s deepest team, and one Memphis matches up astoundingly poorly with. Toronto has an elite irritant in Kyle Lowry to harass Ja Morant, and very good defenders at all of Memphis’ attack points.

Toronto also thrives off broken plays, leading still-active teams in points off turnovers. Among the same sample, only New Orleans and the Brooklyn Nets cough the rock up more than Memphis.

Simply put, if there’s one game the Grizzlies should count on losing, it’s this one (more on that in a bit).

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