Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs Toronto Raptors

When: Monday, January 22th, 6:30 CST

Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Canda

How to Stream/Watch: Bally Sports Southeast

Memphis looks for bright spots in a whirlwind season.

Tonight, the Memphis Grizzlies will travel up north to take on the Toronto Raptors. This is the third game in a four-game road trip as they will look to find their first win during this stretch. Memphis comes into this game 13th in the West with a 15-27 record. The Raptors enter the game 16-27 as they sit at number 12 in the East.

Both teams are about evenly matched in their home and road records as Memphis is 11-11 on the road and Toronto is 10-11 at home this season. Memphis is currently on a two-game losing streak as their last loss came to the hand of hands of the Chicago Bulls in a 125-96 blowout. Toronto’s last game came in a 126-100 blowout against the New York Knicks.

The last time these two teams played the Raptors came out on top with a close 116-11 victory in Memphis on Jan. 3. The only difference is both of these teams look different whether that is due to front-office trades or injury.

Grizzlies won’t see Pascal Siakam as he was recently traded to the Indiana Pacers. The Raptors unfortunately will not see Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and others due to injuries.

With both teams looking different it will bring an interesting battle of matchups and coaching strategies between each team. Both teams depend on young talent to bring them through these tumultuous seasons.

Just like the first matchup, expect a very fast-paced game with a lot of threes being taken on both ends. Memphis is ranked fifth in the league in three-point attempts and since the Siakam trade, the Raptors ‘ pointers have raised from 33.2 to 36.7.

Jan. 3 was a very guard and wing-centered game on both ends. However, with the absence of Morant, Bane, and Smart, Memphis has been thin on backcourt production. As a result, it seems logical to expect Jaren Jackson Jr. to be featured primarily in this game.

Since the Grizzlies’ starting backcourt has been out of the lineup, Triple J is averaging 26.7 points per game. It’s important the Grizzlies establish an inside presence this game and Triple J will lead that charge.

Projected Starting Lineups

Memphis: Luke Kennard, Vince Williams Jr., John Konchar, Santi Aldama, Jaren Jackson Jr.

Toronto: Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Gary Trent Jr., Scottie Barnes, Jontay Porter

Injury Report

Memphis

Questionable: Xavier Tillman Sr.

OUT: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, Steven Adams, Derrick Rose, Jake LaRavia

Toronto

OUT: Jakob Poeltl

Continue the Progression of GG Jackson II, Vince Williams Jr, Jaren Jackson Jr

No one expected the Grizzlies to be a projected lottery team at the beginning of the season. Especially after the return of Morant, Grizzlies’ fans everywhere expected them to be right in the middle of a playoff push. That was the reality until Morant, Bane, and Smart all got sidelined with lengthy injuries in three straight games.

Memphis has been the most injury-plagued team this season and has produced a league-leading 24 unique starting lineups this year. Despite, the up-and-down season the evolution of GG Jackson II, Vince Williams Jr., and Jaren Jackson Jr. has been a welcome sight to see.

Since, becoming a full-time rotation piece Vince Williams has been a consistent presence on both ends of the floor. As a starter, he’s averaging 9.5 PTS and 6.8 RBS a game while doing a great job guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player.

Jackson II has been seeing more minutes with the injuries and he has made the most of it. In January he’s averaging 9.7 PTS a game and is slowly walking through the growing pains of being a 19-year-old in the NBA.

He’s shown flashes of potentially being the Grizzlies wing for the future, but Jenkins has been inconsistent with his minutes. With wins and losses not being the main priority right now Jenkins should let GG spread his wings and make mistakes in the process.

Triple J has been pushed into the number 1 option on offense and the on-the-floor floor leader with his veteran teammates out of the lineup. This is a good opportunity for him to grow in an uncomfortable situation. He’s been playing at an All-Star level all year and his progression during this time will raise the ceiling of this team in the future.

These three guys will be cornerstones of the franchise in the future, so this is a time to allow them to flourish in an inconvenient environment. This is a game where all three can make their presence felt on both ends of the floor. Games like this will go a long way for the development of this team.