Toronto Raptors vs Memphis Grizzlies

In an attempt to get back to winning ways in the NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies will play the struggling Toronto Raptors. While their Eastern guests rank 14th in their conference, they are ranked third in the Western Conference.

Last time out, the Grizzlies lost to the Clippers 114-110 at home. They fell in the standings after their tenth defeat of the season ended a two-match winning streak.

Nonetheless, Taylor Jenkins' team is among the best this season and will be sure to recover here. As of right now, the Grizzlies are one of six teams with 20 victories.

Eight games in a row have been lost by the Raptors. This is their longest losing streak to date, surpassing their previous record of seven games without a victory.

Only two other teams have performed worse than Darko Rajakovic's team, who have lost 23 of their 30 games. The Raps lost to the Knicks 139-125 to start a brief two-game road trip.

Immanuel Quickley will not be available here due to his ongoing injury. Jakob Poeltl, Bruce Brown, and Jamal Shead are dubious. The Raptors have lost 13 of 14 away games and have the fifth-worst defensive rating.

In their 36-match rivalry, the Toronto Raptors hold the upper hand with 21 victories. Last season, they split their encounters with the Memphis Grizzlies—grabbing a win on the road (116:111) and falling short at home (100:108). Interestingly, the Raptors have secured six wins in Memphis, showing they can compete effectively on enemy turf. 

The Memphis Grizzlies had a solid December, winning seven out of ten games. Their losses were closely contested, with narrow margins against Dallas and the Lakers on the road. However, their recent home defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers (110:114) came during a game without their star player, Jaren Jackson, Memphis's leading scorer. To make matters tougher, this was also the first match without Marcus Smart, whose absence likely contributed to the loss. 

Looking ahead, the Grizzlies are set to welcome Smart back to the lineup, which should bolster their performance. Unfortunately, injuries continue to sideline key players like Jaren Jackson and Vince Williams, leaving Memphis to adapt and rely on their depth. 

The Toronto Raptors are enduring a rough patch, sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference standings and grappling with an eight-game losing streak. While their record seems grim, it’s important to note they’ve largely avoided blowout losses. Aside from tough defeats to Oklahoma (92:129) and New York (125:139), most of their losses have been within 10 points. 

In a recent matchup against the Knicks, the Raptors faltered in the second and third quarters, conceding 81 points. Despite a spirited comeback in the final quarter, reducing the deficit by 15 points, it wasn’t enough to make the game truly competitive. Adding to their woes, Immanuel Quickley remains sidelined, having appeared in only three games this season. 

This matchup is shaping up to be a test of resilience for both teams. Memphis is looking to maintain their December momentum despite injuries, while Toronto aims to snap their losing streak and regain confidence. With key players missing and both teams fighting for different reasons, expect a game filled with grit, determination, and perhaps a few surprises.