Memphis started the season 6-0 and has dropped three straight since, due to a huge dropoff from deep. Against Indiana and Oklahoma City, the Grizzlies went 22 of 89 from three, and Friday's 128-97 loss to the Thunder was their worst night of the year. Four of their six wins have come over Utah and Sacramento, twice apiece. The schedule is catching up with them.
Toronto comes home from a 2-2 four-game road trip. Their two best available players, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, sat Friday in Milwaukee, and the Raptors won by 14 without them anyway, behind 16 assists from Jamal Shead and 27 points from RJ Barrett. Kawhi Leonard is still out with the knee. Barnes and Quickley practiced Sunday and are expected to go Monday.
On paper there is almost nothing between these teams. Memphis ranks ninth in offensive and defensive efficiency, and Toronto ranks 10th in both. This Grizzlies team, led by Ty Jerome, has been one of the biggest surprises of the first month, but the evidence points to them coming back down to earth. Toronto won both meetings last season, 117-104 at home and 128-96 in Memphis.
Monday's 7:30 PM ET tip gives both teams two full days off, and Memphis will play its first road game in 11 days. The Raptors have the wings to slow down Jerome, and with Barnes and Quickley back I believe Toronto covers at home. Give me the Raptors on the short number.
Grizzlies vs Raptors prediction: Raptors -2.5 (-113) available at time of publishing.
