Toronto Raptors vs Memphis Grizzlies: 90s Night As Last Game Before Trade Deadline

After nearly taking down one of the East’s top contenders, the Raptors stay home to host the Grizzlies for 90s night.

Toronto is throwing it all the way back to 1995 tonight, as the Raptors host the Grizzlies for their 90s Decade Night!

While they no longer play in Vancouver, the Grizzlies this season are rocking the white uniforms that the original Vancouver Grizzlies entered the league with back in the 1990s. Expect them to wear these stylish uniforms tonight, likely being matched by the Raptors wearing their Vince Carter-era throwbacks, even if they aren’t the ones with the Raptor on them.

No matter what occurs on the court, it should be a great watch with these two beautiful throwback uniforms on display. The style is only then heightened by Toronto’s wonderful throwback court, which needs a petition to stay full-time.

Finally getting to what really matters though, the situation at hand. Tonight is both Toronto and Memphis’s final games before the trade deadline curtain closes tomorrow at 3pm.

While Toronto has seemingly been in tank mode this season, the team has been picking up steam as of late, and so have the rumours. Obviously, the Luka Doncic - Anthony Davis trade shook up the entire league, then there’s the three-way De’Aaron Fox - Zach Lavine three-way trade, and this morning’s Khris Middleton - Kyle Kuzma swap that only added to the craziness. Despite still looking towards the future and wanting the best draft choice possible, could the Raptors look at making a big swing for a name we’re not currently thinking of? Some have rumoured that they may have interest in adding a wing, namely Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins or New Orleans’s Brandon Ingram.

Whatever answer we get to that question, it won’t come tonight. Instead, tonight will only lead to more questions. Are we watching Chris Boucher’s final game as a Toronto Raptor? Jakob Poeltl is missing tonight’s game and only has one season left guaranteed on his contract, is he moved out earlier than expected?

The questions and rumours will be circling all night, on both ends of the court. Memphis is currently second in the West after a disappointing, playoff-less season last year, do they look to capitalize and make a big swing? They would also benefit from some help on the wing, which would mean they serve as a perfect landing spot for Jimmy Butler, if only Memphis wasn’t the one team he said he will not report to.

As much talk as there will be, none of it matters tonight, though.

Toronto stays home after hosting the New York Knicks last night, and nearly took them down! What ended up being a six-point loss was a pretty good Raptors effort, leading the Knicks in points in three out of four quarters. A great game from Scottie Barnes and potentially Jamal Shead’s best outing in the NBA was almost enough to pick up the win, which Toronto will try and rectify tonight.

Memphis, however, will look to extend their three-game winning streak and improve their road record. Only 13-11 while away, the Grizzlies bear (pun intended) one of the weaker road records for the West’s top teams. Of course, the Raptors have been awful on the road this season, but quite respectable at home. Couple that with the fact that Memphis also has a few starters who are questionable for tonight’s matchup, and this game just might be breaking Toronto’s way.

They certainly won’t go down without a fight, and it may be the final time we see some of these players in a Raptors uniform. It should make for a stylish and exciting matchup tonight, with lots of talk of the deadline looming tomorrow.

Where to Watch:

Sportsnet, 7:30 PM EST

Lineups:

Toronto: Jamal Shead, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Scottie Barnes, Kelly Olynyk

Memphis: Ja Morant, Luke Kennard, Jalen Wells, Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey

Injuries:

Toronto: RJ Barrett — concussion protocol (OUT), Chris Boucher — illness (QUESTIONABLE), Jakob Poeltl — hip (OUT), Immanuel Quickley — hip (OUT)

Memphis: Desmond Bane — ankle (OUT), Brandon Clarke — back (QUESTIONABLE), John Konchar — shoulder (QUESTIONABLE), Marcus Smart — finger (QUESTIONABLE), Cam Spencer — thumb (OUT), Vince Williams Jr. — ankle (QUESTIONABLE)