Raptors vs. Grizzlies Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
Don’t be surprised if the Toronto Raptors are rather ragged on Monday in their lone visit of the season to the Memphis Grizzlies, as it’s the Dinos’ third game in four nights. Toronto did open as a 2.5-point favourite on the NBA odds with a total of 223.5.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Monday is the only scheduled first-half meeting between these teams, and it’s not yet known if the Grizzlies will make a return trip to Tampa, Fla., in the second half.
Memphis is an up-and-coming team in the Western Conference led by two very good young players, in sensational point guard Ja Morant, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, and Jaren Jackson Jr. – although Jackson has yet to play this season due to knee surgery. He’s getting close to a return, though (it won’t be Monday). The Grizzlies still have former Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas, who was acquired in the Marc Gasol trade in February 2019. Valanciunas is having a fine season, averaging 15.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
Toronto has won seven straight (7-0 against the spread) and eight of the past nine in this series. The teams played once last season in the Orlando bubble and the Raptors prevailed 108-99. Valanciunas went scoreless and attempted just two shots, but he had 10 rebounds in his first game against the Dinos. That loss prevented the Grizzlies from clinching a spot in the Western Conference play-in series. They would eventually get in, but lose to Portland.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors had a three-game win streak snapped on Saturday in a 132-121 loss in Atlanta. Pascal Siakam had 13 points at halftime but would finish with the game with only 15. The Dinos were ahead by six after one quarter, but then lost each of the final three quarters; they had won 10 games in a row in the series heading into the game. Chris Boucher had 29 points, Fred VanVleet 22 and Kyle Lowry 20. VanVleet (20.2) and Boucher (13.9) rank second and third, respectively, in scoring this season league-wide among undrafted players. OG Anunoby sat again with a left calf strain and won’t play in Memphis. The Raptors are 2-5 ATS in their past seven as road favourites.
Memphis Grizzlies
Valanciunas returned from COVID protocols on Saturday, as did Grayson Allen, but the Grizzlies lost their third in a row, 118-109 in New Orleans. The Grizz were outscored by 10 in the fourth quarter. Valanciunas came off the bench mainly because of conditioning and had 23 points and seven rebounds. Morant struggled in the game, hitting 5-for-14 for 16 points. Rather amazingly, the Grizzlies have scored 1,976 points and allowed 1,976 points so far, this season. They lead the league in steals at 9.9 per game; Toronto is second at 9.3. Memphis has a pair of Canadians on the roster in Dillon Brooks (who played with Boucher at Oregon) and Brandon Clarke, but Clarke is currently out with an injury. Memphis is 5-2 ATS in its past seven as a home dog.
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