James Alberino
Grizzlies +3.5 at Raptors – 2 units (7:40pm ET)
The big headline in this game is that Ja Morant is out but the Raptors have their own issues that aren’t getting talked about as much because they don’t have an injury to a name as big as Morant’s. Toronto’s 3-7 their last 10 and 1-8 ATS at home on the season. OG Anunoby’s their top scorer and he’s out and Goran Dragic left the team yesterday for personal reasons. Toronto’s bench is last in scoring in the NBA because Dragic has barely played. Memphis beat the Kings 128-101 in the first game without Ja. Granted the Kings have a few injuries themselves but it was the way they won/the energy they played with and how guys stepped up in the first game without Morant that was big. Jaren Jackson’s averaging 16 ppg on the season but in 7 games without Ja in his career he averages 23.9 ppg on 51% shooting and 40% from three. Dillon Brooks is a stud and the Grizzlies have a lot of depth with Melton, Brandon Clarke and Desmond Bane. The Raptors are off 2 losses in a row where they put up only 97 points in back to back games. Two weeks ago they lost at home to the Pistons by 6. I think the Grizzlies are better even without Morant and this could be another big game.
