Gameday: Raptors vs Grizzlies, May 8

It’s only a matter of time before the Raptors have their playoff chances extinguished. At least we get to watch some Ja Morant!

The Rundown

So as the Raptors are coming off a competitive loss to the Wizards, it’s looking increasingly likely that they will in fact be competing for a higher lottery pick rather than for a playoff spot. A stark contrast to what Raptors fans have grown accustomed to over the better half of the last decade. Disappointment of missing the playoffs aside, this can be an exciting time for Raptors fans; players like Flynn, Yuta, and Gillespie are great, and are likely going to be positive contributors in the Raptors’ rotation for some time, but having the ability to choose amongst a pool of extremely talented, high ceiling prospects that can possibly change the direction of a franchise is not an opportunity that should be sneezed at.

Case in point, let’s take a look at the Memphis Grizzlies. After losing Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, they weren’t a very good team. Then they managed to get Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant in consecutive drafts (along with some other decent Canadian players in Brandon Clarke and Dillon Brooks). Desmond Bane and Xavier Tillman have both been excellent additions. Both were available when the Raptors were selecting on draft night, and both found their way to Memphis. It wouldn’t surprise me to see both players on the all-rookie teams, though Bane is a lock at the very least with his elite shooting and rock solid consistency from day 1. Not a bad couple of players to guide the future of your franchise, as the Grizz are already back in the playoff hunt just shortly after assembling their new young core.

What a night for Desmond Bane!

22 PTS (career-high)
8 REB (career-high)
3 STL (ties career-high)
41.6 (career-high) pic.twitter.com/JBn6IDN9vS

— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) May 4, 2021

I did say back in the playoff hunt. They’re not all that likely to make much noise going into the post season either, much like their once-cousins from the North. The Grizz still need to develop some as a team, and Jaren Jackson only recently returned to play his first game all season on April 21st, so they’ve been relatively unhealthy. Ja’s been on a bit of a roll lately though, averaging 21/5/7 on 47% from the floor over the last month, and he’s shown that not even a spear from famed Roman Reigns impersonator Jarred Vanderbilt can shake him (he’s fine):

targeting https://t.co/f59L2FQyhs

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) May 6, 2021

So… the Raps are sitting Fred, OG, and Kyle tonight. The Chicago Bulls finally welcomed back Zach Lavine and finally won a game last night. We’re sitting in sole possession of the 7th best odds in the lottery right now and a couple things seem more important than others: the health of the Raptors’ players – and getting more ping pong balls. With three of the main starters for the Raptors out, I think it’s become clear that we all just want to be rid of Tampa.

Listen, it hasn’t been Pascal’s best season. We all know that. The slander needs to stop. The man scored 44 points last night and did everything he could. He missed a few free throws, but for some reason that’s all people can talk about. Not, perhaps, the poor offensive performance of Fred VanVleet, who despite his game tying shot ultimately went 7/25 in 44 minutes against the Wizards. Inefficient outings like this are unfortunately a common occurrence with Fred. Him sitting tonight might even honestly help the Raptors in the efficiency department on offence. Those shots easily could have been better utilized in the hands of a player like Gary Trent, who was actually performing quite well in his first game back from extended absence. Almost like he wanted to remind the Wizards of a little incident a month ago:

Gary and Pascal will be taking a bulk of the offensive load tonight, along with hopefully some help from the bench, who have been underperforming since the month of May began. It’ll be good to see Gary with a more defined offensive role, as we can assume he’ll be more involved on that end next season and beyond if his development and placement within the Raptors goes as planned.

And hey, remember to keep this fun little tidbit in mind as we enter the final stretch of games:

(whispering as you fall asleep still upset about the game) Raptors in sole possession of #7 lottery odds right now

— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) May 7, 2021

Game Info

Tip-off: 7:30pm EDT | TV: TSN | Radio: TSN Radio 1050

Raptors Lineup

Fred VanVleet (hip), Kyle Lowry (rest), OG Anunoby (calf), Yuta Watanabe (ankle), Paul Watson (knee), Chris Boucher (knee) are all out.

PG: Malachi Flynn

SG: Gary Trent Jr, DeAndre Bembry, Jalen Harris

SF: Stanley Johnson, Rodney Hood

PF: Pascal Siakam

C: Khem Birch, Freddie Gillespie, Aron Baynes

Grizzlies Lineup

Grayson Allen (abdomen) is out, as well as Sean McDermott (foot).

PG: Ja Morant, Tyus Jones, John Konchar

SG: Desmond Bane, De’anthony Melton

SF: Kyle Anderson, Dillon Brooks, Justise Winslow

PF: Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke

C: Jonas Valanciunas, Xavier Tillman, Killian Tillie

The Line

Memphis is the favourite at -4.5 with a spread of 226.5 as this is being written.

Toronto is missing key defensive players and Memphis is a middle of the pack defensive team. Interpret that with the line however you wish.

I’d advise against betting on the Raptors given all of the information at hand, but like, who even knows anymore dude?

Gameday: Raptors vs Grizzlies, May 8 originated on Raptors Republic.