Grizzlies vs Raptors NBA Odds: Traditional Rivals Play For Scraps
Toronto Favored First Time Since Facing Detroit
Raptors Favored as Totals Get Boosted
The Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors go way back to 1995 when they were Canada’s first two teams. Now, these teams have seen better days. Thanks to injuries on both sides, Memphis and Toronto have fallen by the wayside. Still, Toronto appears to be in better shape given the Grizzlies vs Raptors NBA odds. Toronto is favored by six points with bettors mainly betting the total to go over 227 points.
Memphis Grizzlies (15-27) vs Toronto Raptors (16-27)
Date, time:
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Streaming: Live Sports Stream
The Action is on the ‘Over’ But Why?
Sharps have quickly bet the totals from its opener of 224.5 points to 227. This may be due to Memphis’ underrated offense. Despite its injuries, the Grizzlies have scored 120+ points in its last three road games. Four of their last five trips have gone over the total for this reason. And against Toronto, Memphis could keep scoring.
The Raptors are hamstrung by the absence of starting center Jakob Poeltl. The team is 2-6 since he went down with its defensive rating plummeting to 26th at 121.2. Toronto is also dead-last in rebounding percentage at 45.7%. Opponents are also hitting over 51% of their shots in the paint.
Memphis is not a prolific inside-scoring team. But Toronto’s lack of size and compromised defense could lead to the Grizzlies scoring more easily. As such, folks are making NBA predictions of a higher-scoring game than the totals indicate.
Poeltl is a defensive anchor for Toronto. The Raptors are 4.5 points better on defense and average 3.2% better on the rebounding ratio. Memphis is a bit undersized too without center Steven Adams and forward Brandon Clarke. The lack of true centers could also increase the pace in which these teams play.
On top of that, the totals have gone over in five of the last eight times Memphis had an over/under in the 220s. Against Toronto early this year, the total was just a half point shy of going over. It was at 227.5, which is almost similar to the new total here per the Grizzlies vs Raptors NBA odds.
We Canuck Trust Toronto or Memphis
That’s a terrible pun. But it could be better than this NBA game today. These teams are terrible deals when we consider their betting trends. As a road underdog, Memphis is just 9-10-0 against the spread (ATS). This 47.4% is actually decent if we consider their other circumstances.
The team has lost six straight games against the Atlantic Division and is just 3-11 ATS in its last 14 games versus Toronto. Even with six points against a struggling Toronto, Memphis is tough trust.
As for Toronto, the Raptors are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games. They are closer to being a lottery team on the NBA playoff standings but still fancy themselves contenders despite dealing Pascal Siakam, a former All-NBA player. Toronto is 0-2 since the deal and has averaged 105 points.
At least, Toronto has covered six straight times against Memphis’ division and is 8-5-0 ATS in non-conference games. But without Poeltl’s defense and rebounding and Siakam’s all-around scoring, things will be harder for Toronto.
RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley have been great for Toronto as two of its new stars. But as with new players on new teams, the chemistry takes time to develop.
“It definitely takes time,” Quickley said per ESPN. “Rome wasn’t built in a day. We have to keep working, individually and as a team we have to continue to try to take steps, and if we keep chopping wood and carrying water we’ll get there.”
Toronto may get better eventually. But for the meantime, this team could be “fade” material on the Grizzlies vs Raptors NBA odds.
