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Highlights Video :
Kyle Lowry and the Raptors have lost four games in a row, and must now make a stop at the Grindhouse to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Toronto Raptors (28-17) gave it all they had, but still came up short as they lost 108-106 at home to the shorthanded San Antonio Spurs. The loss extends the Raptors’ season-long losing skid to four games. With DeMar DeRozan missing due to an injured ankle, Kyle Lowry carried the team with 30 points, while Norman Powell had 16 points, Terrence Ross added 21 big points off the bench, and Patrick Patterson chipped in with 12 points and 4 rebounds.
Patterson made his return after missing the past three weeks with a knee injury, and will be a huge boost for the Raptors' offense. Patterson was instrumental in the Raptors’ 120-105 home win over the Grizzlies earlier this season as he had 14 points and 13 rebounds off the bench. DeRozan is still set to sit this game against the Grizzlies out though. DeRozan had 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists against Memphis, while Lowry paced the team with 29 points and 8 assists.
Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies (26-20) continue to muddle through the New Year. They've now dropped to just 4-6 through their first 10 games of 2017 after a 119-95 home defeat to the Houston Rockets. Marc Gasol was excellent as he scored 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting, but the rest of the team shot just 21-of-69. Gasol is doing his very best to lift the Grizz out of their current funk. The big Spaniard is averaging 28 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks over his last four games.
Gasol had 18 points and 8 rebounds in their loss against Toronto earlier this season, as the Grizzlies were shorthanded in that game. They were without Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, Vince Carter, James Ennis, and Chandler Parsons, but all of them will be available this time around. Conley has had a good start to 2017, averaging 20 points and 8 assists. Randolph has also stepped up his game of late, and is averaging a near-double-double of 14.6 points and 9.8 rebounds this month.
Keys to the Game
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are coming off an emotionally draining defeat last night, so energy could be a bit of a problem in the second night of a back-to-back. It’ll be up to the second unit to provide some type of spark. Corey Joseph scored 16 points off the bench against the Grizzlies, and needs to come up with something similar tonight.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies just need to do what they do best, which is to grind away at their opponents. The Raptors are likely weary on the second night of a back-to-back, and may not be up for a physical battle against a fresh Grizzlies team that’s had three days off.
Toronto Raptors Projected Starting Lineup
PG – Kyle Lowry | SG – Norman Powell | SF – DeMarre Carroll | PF – Jared Sullinger | C – Jonas Valanciunas
Memphis Grizzlies Projected Starting Lineup
PG – Mike Conley | SG – Tony Allen | SF – Chandler Parsons | PF – JaMychal Green | C – Marc Gasol
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