After their embarrassing loss to the Sacramento Kings, the Toronto Raptors are facing another team at the bottom of the league. The Raptors are heading to Memphis to take on what’s left of the Grizzlies, and this is a game that they absolutely have to take care of. Memphis’ injury list is filled to the brim with most of their rotation players and all that is left are young players and fringe NBA players. The talent gap between Toronto and Memphis is too wide for this to be a competitive game, and this should be a game where Darko Rajakovic can empty his bench early on.
Raptors Outlook
Record: 42-34 | 7th in Eastern Conference
Offensive Rating: 114.5 (16th) | Defensive Rating: 112.5 (7th) | Net Rating: +2.1 (12th)
Brandon Ingram will be back in the lineup tonight, and with the lack of defensive talent that Memphis has, he should have no issue getting any shot that he wants to. There should not be any struggles offensively for Toronto tonight, they are playing against a very tweak defensive team that can easily be taken advantage of. Scottie Barnes should use tonight’s game as a chance to get back on track as a scorer. His playmaking has been even better lately but that has coincided with a change to his scoring process, which has hurt the team overall. Toronto likely won’t need a big scoring night from Barnes to win, but it may give him the boost he needs to finish this season on a strong note.
Grizzlies Outlook
Record: 25-51 | 11th in Western Conference
Offensive Rating: 113.1 (21st) | Defensive Rating: 117.5 (24th) | Net Rating: -4.5 (22nd)
Memphis gave up on this season long ago, they traded Jaren Jackson Jr. away, they tried to trade Ja Morant away numerous times, and they have had their starting lineup be sidelined with injury for months now. One of their only bright spots this season has been rookie guard Cedric Coward. Coward has shown that he has great potential as an on ball scorer, with a knack for getting to the cup. Another bright spot has been GG Jackson II who returned from an injury this season and has also shown some promise as a secondary ball handler.
Although they have some intriguing young players, Memphis does not have anywhere near the talent that Toronto will have tonight. They will most likely lose this game by a large margin, unless Toronto drops the ball yet again.
Game Info
Tip-Off: 8:00 p.m. ET
Television: Sportsnet
Venue: FedEx Forum
Starting Lineups (Projected)
Memphis Grizzlies
PG: Javon Small
SG: Jahmai Mashack
SF:Cedric Coward
PF: GG Jackson
C: Taylor Hendricks
Toronto Raptors
PG: Ja’Kobe Walter
SG: RJ Barrett
SF: Brandon Ingram
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Jakob Poeltl
Injury Report
Toronto Raptors
Immanuel Quickley (Foot) – Out
Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant (Elbow) – Out
Cam Spencer (Back) – Out
Jaylen Wells (Foot) – Out
Santi Aldama (Knee) – Out
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Finger) – Out
Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Finger) – Out
Ty Jerome (Ankle) – Out
Zach Edey (Ankle) – Out
Scotty Pippen Jr. (Toe) – Out
TeamSpreadMoneyTotalToronto Raptors-13.5 (–115)-935O 232.5 (-115)Memphis Grizzlies+13.5 (-105)+617U 232.5 (-105)
Odds as of Apr.3rd, 12:00 a.m. ET
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