GT: Finals preview?! Grizzlies (10-1) vs Raptors (8-2) @7:30 eastern

[Finger Roll]

No game thread yet so :

Lowry is going to beast. Jonas will hold his own. Raptors with the dramatic come back winner from Ross.


Let's gooo

Who ya got ish.. let's get this big exciting match up some love.

[r0drig0lac]

haha

[BurningHammer]

Is this the first time the Naismith Cup features the best teams from each conferences?

:rockon: :applause: :bowdown: :cheers:

[Finger Roll]

20 years in the making!

[BurningHammer]

So Raptors are again going to try to reconcile between fans and Vince Carter with a special tribute video tonight.

For me, let him retire first and we talk.

[BurningHammer]

http://i.imgur.com/gcCaMlt.png

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Burning, has that always been your avatar? I swear it used to be a turkey... And now that I look at it, I can't tell if my glancing made me think that was a turkey or that if you actually had a turkey as an avatar. Cooked turkey.

[PsychoBe]

i hate the raptors commentators though :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Legends66NBA7]

http://www.nba.com/games/20141119/MEMTOR/gameinfo.html


After making a huge statement against another Western Conference contender, the Memphis Grizzlies should take care not to overlook the current leader in the East.

The NBA-best Grizzlies, whose only loss came to an Eastern team, visit the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night after being swept in last season's series.

The Grizzlies and Houston both entered Monday night's meeting at 9-1, but Memphis thoroughly dominated in a 119-93 home victory. The Rockets came in giving up a league-low 88.9 points per game before the Grizzlies shot 53.5 percent, including 7 for 17 from 3-point range, and had seven players reach double digits in points.

It's the type of performance that occasionally leads to a letdown, but Memphis should be able to stay focused by leaning on its mediocre performances last season against the Raptors, who won both meetings by double digits.

Toronto (8-2) held the Grizzlies below 88 points in both games and a combined 8 of 29 from 3-point range. Most recently, Memphis compiled just 16 assists -- one of its lowest totals of 2013-14 -- in a 99-86 defeat at Air Canada Centre on March 14.

Brooklyn was the only other Eastern team last season to sweep the Grizzlies, who are 19-6 against the conference since the start of 2014 despite losing 93-92 at Milwaukee on Nov. 8.

Mike Conley scored 19 points against Houston before departing in the third quarter with a sore shoulder, Courtney Lee added 15 and Zach Randolph 14 as Memphis supplanted the Rockets for the NBA's top defense at 91.5 points allowed per game.

"This team could easily come in and beat us by 30, and we came in and stayed focused," said Conley, who left as a precaution with Memphis up by 24. "I thought it was a good statement to the rest of the league that we're one of the teams to be reckoned with."

While a dominant defense was expected from the Grizzlies, who ranked third on that end last season, they've also displayed some vigor on offense during the franchise's best start to a season.

Memphis has clamped down when the offense struggles -- a 71-69 win at Charlotte on Nov. 1 is the prime example -- but has also topped the century mark when the defense falters, including high-scoring wins over Minnesota, the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento.

The Grizzlies likely need to bring their best on both ends against the Raptors, whose 100-93 home loss to Chicago on Thursday is their only total below 100 points.

Center Jonas Valanciunas referred to the loss as a "cold shower," and Toronto bounced back Saturday with its sixth win in seven games, shooting 51.2 percent overall and outscoring Utah 35-21 in the fourth quarter of a 111-93 home win.

DeMar DeRozan had 27 points and Valanciunas set season highs with 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Raptors. DeRozan was 10 of 16 from the floor after a combined 7-for-32 performance in the previous two contests.

"We're not where everyone is hyping us up to be, we still have a ways to go," coach Dwane Casey told Toronto's official website. "We still have a lot to learn, a lot to get through, to fight through to play at that elite level night in, night out."

A victory over the Grizzlies won't solidify the Raptors as an elite team this early in the season, but it would provide a boost before they host Milwaukee on Friday and visit LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers the next night.

[Bcogswell]

Battle of Canada

[Legends66NBA7]

Vince Carter gets a video tribute honour tonight by the Raptors.

[Finger Roll]

i hate the raptors commentators though :roll: :roll: :roll:

Please name 5 teams with better--- Helllllooooo

[BurningHammer]

Vince Carter gets a video tribute honour tonight by the Raptors.
10 years have gone so fast.

Wake me up, when Vince's career ends.

[Legends66NBA7]

Conley and Lowry are the 2 most underrated PG's in the league, IMO.

[AussieG]

This is going to be a much better game than the other day against Rockets. Raptors at home will be tough. Watchout for Lowry. Lowry vs Conley battle with be big. Nothing against VC but he will have little impact compared to this PG battle.

Two hottest teams in the league. :cheers:

[BurningHammer]

Nobody still bites Amir's three pointers. :oldlol:

[Legends66NBA7]

Good interior defense, so far.

[TaLvsCuaL]

Nice start :lol

[Legends66NBA7]

This is going to be a low scoring game. Both teams aren't going to get rattled by any deficit.

[BurningHammer]

Why they zoomed at Nav? :oldlol:

Anyway :applause:

[TaLvsCuaL]

unexpected dunk by Prince

[Legends66NBA7]

Vince tears of happiness.

[BurningHammer]

Fans still ceremonially boo him during the game though. :oldlol:

[TaLvsCuaL]

I'm so biased but Marc Gasol is awesome

[AussieG]

Doesn't require bias to see that. He just keeps getting better and better every season. Very well rounded.

[EricGordon23]

Hopefully derozan has a good game we need this!

[BurningHammer]

I'm so biased but Marc Gasol is awesome
http://25.media.tumblr.com/7c0242aeaf4d37083f696bcc97590fba/tumblr_mpeiopzKZl1qkb4ico2_r1_250.gif

[Kungfro]

I love how that running shot is a regular thing for Lou.

[BurningHammer]

Landry Fields sighting

[TaLvsCuaL]

Gasol needs some rest

[BurningHammer]

Raps just can't stop Marc-Randolph combo.

[TaLvsCuaL]

Raps just can't stop Marc-Randolph combo.
But they will end up exhausted without Koufos and Leuer

[AussieG]

Has barely been a FT in this game so far so probably going to be heaps in the second half.

[TaLvsCuaL]

Old fellas playing good, Prince and Vince

[SouBeachTalents]

Lol, there's zero percent chance this is going to be the Finals matchup this year

[Finger Roll]

I'm a few minutes behind in the game.. but man what's wrong with Ross.. so timid and no fire in his eyes

If he's not on ball defending or shooting well then hes actually useless just standing around

[red1]

Lol, there's zero percent chance this is going to be the Finals matchup this year
I would give it a 0.1% chance. So yeah, you're wrong

[Legends66NBA7]

Raps just can't stop Marc-Randolph combo.

Casey needs to use different C's vs Gasol and Randolph. Stiemsma on Marc. Hayes on Randolph.

[Twiens]

I'm a few minutes behind in the game.. but man what's wrong with Ross.. so timid and no fire in his eyes

If he's not on ball defending or shooting well then hes actually useless just standing around

It's who he is. Supremely talented but either very soft or lazy.

[It's A VC3!!!]

Finally the idiot Memphis coach is playing Vince. Vince producing and creating. He can do this on a nightly basis but he needs playing time. You don't sign a guy for 3 years if you're not going to play him.

[AussieG]

10-1 says that whatever the idiot coach is doing, it's working. VC has been easing back after injury in the off season.

[TaLvsCuaL]

Valanciunas is doing great

[BurningHammer]

Grizz absolutely out-rebound Raps.

[red1]

3rd quarter blues. same thing vs chicago

[BurningHammer]

Lou! :banana: :rockon:

[red1]

nice

[Legends66NBA7]

Raps countering with the tempo.

[ProfessorMurder]

ZBo's shot has looked off to me lately.

[Young X]

Williams :bowdown:

[SpecialQue]

What the hell is going on?

[TaLvsCuaL]

What the hell is going on?
Memphis without Udrih, Allen, Lee, Leuer and Koufos winning at the moment

[ProfessorMurder]

I say ZBo's shot looks off, but he gets those o-rebs and makes layups :oldlol:

I'll take it. Dude's a beast.

[Legends66NBA7]

Why do Hayes and Stiemsma even dress for the game ?

Not like their going to play in an obvious matchup.

[TaLvsCuaL]

Hansbrough is really dumb

[Qwyjibo]

Hansbrough is completely useless.

[TaLvsCuaL]

I say ZBo's shot looks off, but he gets those o-rebs and makes layups :oldlol:

I'll take it. Dude's a beast.
Exactly, I can't understand how a chubby guy that can barely jump can get so many offensive rebounds. A rare talent to predict the trajectory of the ball and He is surprisingly quick.

[TaLvsCuaL]

Jarnell Stokes at Center and Prince at PF. Joerger is crazy.

[Legends66NBA7]

Why Hayes wasn't used earlier, I'll never know. Hopefully not for too long, though.

[Finger Roll]

Casey shoot have been playing full court and pushing it all game against them. Short bench, veterans and better half court defense ..😐

[TaLvsCuaL]

Ross killing it

[TaLvsCuaL]

That shot by Marc :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Kungfro]

Wow, Hayes could not have defended that any better.

[TaLvsCuaL]

Questionable call

[SugarHill]

Gasol looking lanky these days

[ProfessorMurder]

Wow, Hayes could not have defended that any better.
That was great, he didn't budge :oldlol:

[ProfessorMurder]

ZBo getting 20/20?

[SugarHill]

tie game with best in the West

[TaLvsCuaL]

tie game with best in the West
Without the entire second unit.

[Legends66NBA7]

I feel like DeMar is getting ripped off on these drives. Still got good looks for his teammates though.

[Fork]

Nice shot by Conley!

[Kungfro]

I don't know what Casey has against Val.

[TaLvsCuaL]

Good choke Marc

[ProfessorMurder]

Marc bricked both... C'mon.

[Fork]

Are you kidding me Gasol?

[Twiens]

Chuck being useful!!!

[SugarHill]

Without the entire second unit.
:coleman:

[Twiens]

Marc finally getting tired it seems

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Lowry :applause:

[Dave3]

Lowry > life.

[red1]

gawdry!

[SugarHill]

Lowry = eventual Raptor GOAT

[Kungfro]

Lowly!!

[Fork]

Memphis choking like last year

[ProfessorMurder]

Grizz had it and blew it. Exciting end though.

[T_L_P]

http://thekobebeef.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/tim_duncan_game_over.gif

[SugarHill]

Grizz = butt
Raps = not butt

[Fork]

If Marc made this free throws.....

[Grey Dawn]

Whoo!

[Burgz V2]

great game. not sure we take this against a healthy grizz team but good win nonetheless

[TaLvsCuaL]

Good game Raptors fans :cheers:

Memphis key players were too tired at the end of the game. Extremely short rotation. we miss Udrih, Allen, Lee and Koufos this game. Still they played very well despite everything. I'm happy.

[Grey Dawn]

Good game Raptors fans :cheers:

Memphis key players were too tired at the end of the game. Extremely short rotation. we miss Udrih, Allen, Lee and Koufos this game. Still they played very well despite everything. I'm happy.

Yeah you could see that. They still almost had it.

[Qwyjibo]

- Ross was invisible during the first half but made some big shots later. Best of all, he stayed on the floor and kept Landry Fields off. Fields only got 4 minutes even with James Johnson out.

- Both Hayes and Stiemsma should be ahead of Hansbrough in the rotation. Patterson already gives them solid offense in the frontcourt off the bench so pair him up with a defender if Amir and Jonas both have to sit. The Raptors don't need whatever the hell they think Hansbrough gives them.

- Lowry missed a lot of good looks but I'm glad he kept shooting. Also, he should never pass it off to Demar late in a shot clock. Lowry should be taking more shots, Demar less.

- I hope Vasquez does something soon. Anything.

[Finger Roll]

Good game Raptors fans :cheers:

Memphis key players were too tired at the end of the game. Extremely short rotation. we miss Udrih, Allen, Lee and Koufos this game. Still they played very well despite everything. I'm happy.

It would have been a much tougher game. Memphis players all played pretty dam well considering

[BurningHammer]

Lowry, an all-star, finally?

[Legends66NBA7]

I think the Raps defense will continue to get better as the season goes on. Crazy, but I think this team has the potential to be Top 5 in both offense and defense this season if Casey can utilize his taller centers more.

Also, I know we beat an undermanned Grizzlies team off the bench, but the Memphis core all played very well (Gasol-Randolph-Conley) and did almost everything correctly to win this game in the end.

I agree with Q, Lowry should always try to be the guy taking the last shot. Was surprised he passed it to DeMar late because it looked like a clean look. If anything, he should have looked for Ross. Conley also defended Lowry as good as he could on that step back. The battle of the 2 most underrated PG's was a very good one. A stalemate tonight, IMO.