Grizzlies Riding High, Raptors Eyeing Playoff Push as Underdogs

Grizzlies vs Raptors: Memphis Looks to Extend Streak, Toronto Aims to Play Spoiler

On Wednesday night, the Memphis Grizzlies (34-16) will take on the Toronto Raptors (16-33) in a crucial interconference showdown. With playoff positioning on the line for both teams, this matchup will feature a Memphis squad in search of its fourth consecutive win, while Toronto hopes to build on its recent success and spoil the Grizzlies’ momentum.

Grizzlies Riding High, Leading the Southwest Division

The Memphis Grizzlies enter this game on a three-game win streak, having most recently defeated the San Antonio Spurs 128-109. They’ve been nearly unbeatable in recent weeks, winning nine of their last 10 games. With a strong 34-16 record, they hold a 1.5-game lead over the Houston Rockets for the top spot in the Southwest Division. Although they’re sitting second in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies are six games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for first place in the West.

In the win against the Spurs, Memphis was dominant on both ends of the floor. Despite a brief scare in the second quarter, they used a massive 19-0 run to assert control. They finished the game shooting 48.5% from the field and 14-of-36 from beyond the arc, forcing San Antonio into 23 turnovers. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the way with a massive 31-point performance, adding six rebounds and three blocks.

The Grizzlies have excelled offensively this season, ranking first in the league in scoring with an average of 123.5 points per game. Their rebounding is also elite, sitting second in the NBA at 47.6 boards per game, while their assist game ranks second with 29.7 assists per contest. On the defensive end, however, Memphis has struggled, ranking 23rd in points allowed at 115.6 per game.

Ja Morant continues to lead Memphis, averaging 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game. Meanwhile, Desmond Bane has provided solid scoring support, averaging 17.9 points per contest. The team also boasts strong contributors in Jaren Jackson Jr. (23.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks) and Santi Aldama (12.8 points, 6.8 rebounds).

Toronto Raptors: The Underdogs Eyeing a Playoff Push

Despite a rocky start to the season, the Toronto Raptors have shown significant improvement recently. Heading into their game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, the Raptors have won six of their last seven games, including a strong 115-108 victory over the LA Clippers. Toronto’s victory over the Clippers was highlighted by a balanced offensive performance, with RJ Barrett leading the charge with 20 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.

At 16-33, the Raptors are facing an uphill battle to make the playoffs. They sit 12th in the Eastern Conference, 9 games behind the Miami Heat for the final guaranteed spot. Despite their place in the standings, Toronto is still within reach of a play-in tournament spot, trailing the Chicago Bulls by just 4.5 games.

On offense, the Raptors are averaging 111.2 points per game, ranking 18th in the league. They’ve also been strong on the boards, sitting 17th in the NBA with 44.1 rebounds per game. Toronto is particularly effective at creating assists, ranking 5th in the league with 29.1 per game. However, their defense has been a concern, allowing 116.3 points per game, which ranks 24th in the league.

Scottie Barnes has emerged as the team’s star player, contributing 20.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. RJ Barrett has also been strong, averaging 21.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. The Raptors’ frontcourt is bolstered by Jakob Poeltl (14.4 points, 10.3 rebounds) and Gradey Dick (15.7 points), giving them multiple scoring options across the floor.

Conclusion

While Toronto is certainly playing better basketball in recent weeks, Memphis’ offensive firepower and rebounding dominance should give them the edge. The Grizzlies are simply too potent on both sides of the ball for the Raptors to match, but Toronto’s competitiveness will make for a closely contested game.

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