Memphis Grizzlies vs. Toronto Raptors Prediction, NBA Odds
The NBA odds will depend on whether Fred VanVleet will play for the Dinos.
Grizzlies vs. Raptors NBA Betting Odds
With the emergence of Ja Morant into a true superstar last season, the Grizzlies tied a franchise record with 56 regular-season wins and reached the Western Conference semifinals, losing in six games to eventual NBA champion Golden State. The Grizzlies could win the West this season if everything breaks right but might be one more piece away.
Thursday is the first of two regular-season meetings between the Grizzlies and Raptors, with Toronto going to Memphis on Feb. 5. Last season, Toronto lost 98-91 at home in the series but won 126-113 on the road. Morant missed the game at Scotiabank Arena. Desmond Bane averaged 21.5 points in the two games, and Jaren Jackson Jr. 20.5 points and 3.5 blocks – he’s one of the top shot-blockers in the league.
Fred VanVleet averaged 19.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the two games for the Dinos, with Pascal Siakam at 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, and Scottie Barnes 18.0 points and 8.0 rebounds.
Toronto leads the all-time series 27-25 and is 15-12 at home but has dropped the past two there. Memphis is just 2-9 ATS in the past 11 overall meetings.
Memphis Grizzlies
While the Phoenix Suns are an excellent team when healthy, they weren’t close to that on Tuesday yet were big upset winners at Memphis, 125-108, as the Grizzlies lost for the fourth time in five games. Eight Suns scored in double figures despite playing without All-Star guard Devin Booker and three other rotational guys. Ja Morant led Memphis with 34 points. Desmond Bane was the only other Memphis player in double figures with 14 before Coach Taylor Jenkins cleared his bench midway through the fourth quarter. Jaren Jackson Jr. had a rough night in shooting 2-for-12 for six points. Grizzlies guard/forward Dillon Brooks (Mississauga) and forward Brandon Clarke (Vancouver) were both born in Canada. Brooks and Raptors big man Chris Boucher played together two seasons at the University of Oregon (2015-16). Brooks is third on the team in scoring at 17.4 ppg and Clarke fifth at 10.3. Memphis is 7-18-1 ATS in its past 26 road games.
Toronto Raptors
The Los Angeles Clippers were in the second of a back-to-back on Tuesday in Toronto but still won comfortably 124-113 as Kawhi Leonard had 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in his return to the city. Former Raptor Norman Powell was huge off the bench with 22 points. The Clippers shot 51.2 per cent and had 68 points in the paint. Pascal Siakam stayed red hot with 36 points and nine rebounds in the loss, but the other four starters totaled 39 points. Fred VanVleet left in the first quarter with back troubles, returned and left again in the third. He had just four points in 23 minutes and is questionable for this one. So are Christian Koloko and Precious Achiuwa – that’s an upgrade for him as Achiuwa has missed 22 straight games. Toronto is 0-4 ATS in its past four at home.
MEM
TOR