The Toronto Raptors are looking to get revenge for a tough loss when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
The Grizzlies set a franchise record for points in their 155-126 win over the Raptors on December 26.
The Raptors have improved recently, now closer to full strength. Despite losing 121-115 to the New York Knicks on Tuesday, they’ve won eight of their last 11 games.
Toronto made a strong push against the Knicks. After trailing by 23 points, they cut the lead to just one with 3:17 left to play.
“I’m really proud of how we kept our composure during the whole game,” said Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic.
It was a solid night for some younger Raptors players, particularly Jamal Shead. Shead scored 16 points and dished out nine assists in just over 23 minutes, getting significant minutes in the fourth quarter.
“I think that’s a testament to us,” Shead said. “We didn’t shy away from it. I think we accepted the challenge and we looked forward to it. I think it was really fun and we made it fun. We’re young, but that’s how you learn.”
Starting center Jakob Poeltl, who has been dealing with a hip injury, was limited to five points in 15 minutes and didn’t play in the second half. Rajakovic mentioned the injury has been bothering Poeltl for several games, and he took a hit to the hip during the first half.
Memphis, on the other hand, defeated the San Antonio Spurs 128-109 on Monday and has won nine of their last 10 games. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the way with 31 points, followed by GG Jackson with 27, and Ja Morant with 25.
GG Jackson had missed the first 42 games of the season after offseason foot surgery.
“Really my first injury ever that took me away from the sport, so definitely a lot of mental lapses, a lot of mental battles,” Jackson said.
Brandon Clarke (back) and Desmond Bane (ankle) were out for Memphis on Monday, giving Jackson more opportunities.
“I feel a little bit better from last year,” Jackson said.
Memphis rookie Zach Edey, a Toronto native, will be one of the main focuses in Wednesday’s game. Edey posted 16 points and 14 rebounds against San Antonio and had 21 points and 16 rebounds in the first meeting with the Raptors.
Edey, a Purdue product, was drafted ninth overall by Memphis last June.
Several Canadian players on the Raptors, including Chris Boucher, RJ Barrett, and Kelly Olynyk, have watched Edey’s development closely.
“To see his development, from seeing him in high school to college, and then just how much he’s grown, it’s amazing to see him,” Olynyk said. “It just shows his work ethic, his diligence and his desire to be good. He wants to get better, he’s always asking questions, always putting in extra work, and you don’t see that often from young guys these days.”
“You see it, but it’s not a guarantee. And the way he was dominating college basketball, he didn’t really have to do more and do this or that, but he knew he was going to have to do more and get better to make it at this level and have an impact at this level, and he’s continued to do that, and that’s a testament to him.”
RJ Barrett (concussion protocol) and Chris Boucher (illness) did not play on Tuesday.
