Kicking off the calendar year in style, the Toronto Raptors marked their fresh start with an impressive victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, courtesy of standout performances from RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, who both made their Raptors debuts memorable. Riding the wave of this win, the Raptors now set their sights on a challenging contest Wednesday in Memphis against the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies will be playing the second half of a back-to-back after earning a 106-98 win over San Antonio on Tuesday. Now, with the fatigue of consecutive games hanging in the air, the Grizzlies brace themselves for a formidable Raptors team hungry for continued success.
Bet on Raptors vs. Grizzlies
TOR +1
MEM -1
Let’s look at the betting odds on both teams for this upcoming matchup.
Raptors vs. Grizzlies odds
| Raptors Moneyline Odds | -105 |
| Grizzlies Moneyline Odds | -115 |
| Over/Under | 230 points (-110 over, -110 under) |
| Spread | Grizzlies -1 (-110) |
| Time/Date | Jan. 3, 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: TSN Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?) |
All odds courtesy of 
About the Raptors (13-20 SU, 16-17 ATS, 18-15 o/u)
In a closely contested battle, the Raptors secured a hard-fought victory against a depleted Cavaliers squad missing stars Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Despite the absence of these key players, the Cavaliers displayed resilience, making the Raptors work for every point in their narrow win. Leading the charge was the consistently impressive Pascal Siakam, who showcased his scoring prowess with an outstanding 36-point performance on an efficient 13-of-20 (65%) shooting, including a sharp 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Siakam’s ability to impact the game on multiple fronts remains a cornerstone for the Raptors’ success. Accompanying him was Scottie Barnes with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists. RJ in his debut added 19 points and nine rebounds, further contributing to the team’s offensive firepower. Notably, Jakob Poeltl played a key role with 14 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks, highlighting his all-around impact and the team’s depth.
As the Raptors prepare to face the Grizzlies, they encounter a defensively solid opponent ranked in the middle of the league. Despite the challenge of identifying clear weaknesses, the Grizzlies’ defensive stats unveil potential opportunities for exploitation. Notably, they allow the most rebounds and the fifth-highest assists to point guards, creating a favourable scenario for Quickley and Dennis Schroder. However, the Grizzlies present a concern for Scottie, as they concede the ninth-fewest points and the sixth-highest assists to shooting guards. Exploiting the defensive vulnerabilities, especially the Grizzlies’ susceptibility to three-pointers by small and power forwards, could prove advantageous for the Raptors, with RJ and Siakam poised to capitalize on this specific aspect of the matchup. Successfully navigating these nuances will be pivotal as the Raptors aim for a positive outcome against the defensively sound Grizzlies.
About the Grizzlies (11-22 SU, 13-20 ATS, 13-20 o/u)
Fresh off a victory against the Spurs, the Grizzlies enter their matchup with the Raptors with momentum on their side. In their recent win, dynamic point guard Ja Morant played a starring role, notching a double-double with 26 points and 10 assists, showcasing his scoring and playmaking ability on an efficient 7-of-15 (46.7%) shooting. Complementing Morant’s stellar performance, Desmond Bane made a significant impact, contributing 24 points on an impressive 11-of-17 (64.7%) shooting. Bane’s scoring efficiency proved instrumental in securing the win for the Grizzlies, setting the stage for an intriguing clash with the Raptors as Memphis looks to build upon their recent success.
Facing the revamped Raptors, the defensive landscape has undergone a significant shift with the departure of their standout defender, O.G. Anunoby, who was traded to the New York Knicks. Anunoby’s absence creates a notable void in the Raptors’ defensive lineup, leaving them vulnerable. In their recent outing against an injury-plagued Cavaliers squad, the Raptors conceded 15 or more points to an impressive five players. Donovan Mitchell led the charge with 26 points, while Caris LeVert came off the bench to deliver a stellar 31-point performance. This defensive lapse presents a prime opportunity for the Grizzlies’ dynamic duo, Morant and Bane, to capitalize on the weakened defence and showcase their scoring prowess. With the Raptors grappling with defensive adjustments, Morant and Bane could exploit these vulnerabilities and make a significant impact in the upcoming matchup.
Ja Morant over 25.5 points
-115
Injury concerns
- Derrick Rose (left thigh soreness) is listed as day-to-day.
Betting trends
- The under is 4-1 in the Grizzlies’ last five home games.
- Toronto is 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings between the teams in Memphis.
- The over is 5-1 in Toronto’s last six games.
Player prop trends
- Siakam scored over 23.5 points in his last three games. He is averaging 22.4 points for the season. His line is at -120 to score over 23.5 points against the Grizzlies.
- Poeltl grabbed over 9.5 rebounds in his last three games. He is averaging 8.3 rebounds for the season. His line is at -115 to grab over 9.5 rebounds against the Grizzlies.
- Morant scored over 25.5 points in three of his last five games. He is averaging 25.3 points for the season. His line is at -115 to score over 25.5 points against the Raptors.
Wagers to consider
- Morant to score over 25.5 points: -115. Morant is going up against the depleted Raptors defence that gave up 31 to LeVert and 26 to Mitchell. Morant should have little to no trouble covering this number.
- Over 230 Total Points: -110. This should be a high-scoring game with both teams firing on all cylinders.
