Memphis Grizzlies vs Toronto Raptors Preview (12/29/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

By Andrew Norton | Dec 28, 2022, 11:54pm

Contents

Memphis will look to break its recent slump on Thursday night against the Toronto Raptors. Check out the projected starting lineups, our betting predictions, current odds, and updated injury report for both teams below.

Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Odds

The Memphis Grizzlies are two-point road favorites against the Toronto Raptors despite dropping four out of their past five games. Memphis has everyone healthy and available except for Danny Green, who will likely be out for a few more months. Otto Porter Jr and Precious Achiuwa are listed as out for Toronto, while Fred VanVleet and Christian Koloko are day-to-day.

Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Toronto Raptors Prediction

Memphis looked fantastic in its road game against the Phoenix Suns on December 23rd, which marked the first time in the 2022-23 season that it had its entire starting lineup (Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Steven Adams) healthy. It was refreshing for Grizzlies fans, to say the least, as it has been several months of new lineups and injuries.

Unfortunately, Memphis has dropped four of its past five games and has boasted an offensive rating of 107.8 and defensive rating of 112.9 in that span. Further, the Grizzlies have merely managed to shoot 25.2% from behind the arc and have been outrebounded in total from those five games. This slump is especially strange, considering Memphis had won seven straight games beforehand. Still, the Grizzlies are well-positioned to finish near the top of the Western Conference with roughly 40% of the season completed.

On the other hand, Toronto has not been able to garner any solid momentum. The Raptors are 10th in the Eastern Conference thus far, and are only one game ahead of 12th place; they are 2-7 in their past nine games, too. The only thing holding them together has been Pascal Siakam’s incredible play. He has put together his best season yet, and quietly, one of the best in the league; Siakam is averaging 26.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game this season.

Memphis has been shooting horrendously from deep (sub-30%) over its past few games and has thus struggled to keep up with teams like Golden State, Denver, and Phoenix, which rank seventh, second, and fourth in 3P% (three-point percentage) this season. However, the Grizzlies have an ideal matchup to try and get back on track, as Toronto ranks 29th in 3P%. This should be a close game, but the Grizzlies should come away with a key road victory.

Betting Trends

Memphis is 4-12-1 ATS on the road in 2022-23
Toronto is 9-8 ATS at home in 2022-23
The combined over record of these two teams is 34-32-1 in 2022-23

Key Matchups

The key matchup in this game is between Pascal Siakam and Jaren Jackson Jr, two incredibly rangy and athletic power forwards. Check out the analysis below to see which player has the advantage in this crucial matchup.

Jaren Jackson Jr vs. Pascal Siakam

One of the front-runners for DPOY will be tasked with guarding one of the hottest players in basketball: can it get any better than this? Jaren Jackson has elevated the Grizzlies’ defense since his return, catapulting them from bottom half of the league to the top ten in defensive rating. Jackson averages over three blocks per game in only 25 minutes, a truly ludicrous defensive output.

Meanwhile, Siakam has been a menace in his past four games, averaging roughly 38 points, ten rebounds, and seven assists; that includes an absurd 52-point outing against the New York Knicks. Triple J has not quite looked like himself in the past few games, and Siakam ranks eighth in free throws attempted in the NBA; foul trouble continues to be an issue for Jackson. Advantage: Siakam.

Memphis Grizzlies Starting Lineup

PG: Ja Morant
SG: Desmond Bane
SF: Dillon Brooks
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr
C: Steven Adams

Memphis Grizzlies Team Pages

Toronto Raptors Starting Lineups

PG: Fred VanVleet
SG: O.G. Anunoby
SF: Scottie Barnes
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Juancho Hernangomez

Toronto Raptors Team Pages

Key Injuries

Memphis Grizzlies Injuries: Danny Green (Out)

Toronto Raptors Injuries: Fred VanVleet (Q), Christian Koloko (Q), Precious Achiuwa (Out), Otto Porter Jr (Out)

Andrew Norton

Drew is one of the NBA Lead Writers at Lineups.com, specializing in betting content such as game predictions and player props. With a deep knowledge of players and prospects, Drew has an extensive edge in covering everything NBA.