Raptors at Grizzlies game-day Dino-bytes

Our now-traditional, weekday-game, post-shootaround look at the Raptors game.

 

TORONTO (3-12) at MEMPHIS (10-2)

FedEx Forum

TIPOFF: 8 p.m.

TV: Sportsnet; RADIO: FAN590

 

Probable starters

Toronto: Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Dom McGuire, Andrea Bargnani, Jonas Valanciunas; Memphis: Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol.

 

Key backups tonight

Toronto: Terrence Ross (can he bring the same game two nights in a row), Amir Johnson (tough front line for Grizzlies a tough matchup); Memphis: Jerry Bayless (Conley’s been sick, ex-Raptor important), Marreese Speights (big man plays solid role).

 

Previous meeting

First meeting of the season, Toronto won 114-110 in overtime here last season and won 120-106 in the pre-season last month.

 

What happened this morning

They slept, I flew

Raptors did the usual and took the morning off on a back-to-back; it’s not at all unusual, they would have walked through some Memphis stuff at the team hotel during the day.

Plus, they were here to end the pre-season and Memphis has been scouted extensively, it’s not like there are any surprises in store.

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Talk is cheap, but entertaining

Former Raptor Jerryd Bayless kept up a steady stream of conversation with the Raptors bench, and Kyle Lowry, during a pre-season game. It wasn’t malicious but it was, um, chatty and it might be something to pay attention to tonight.

Bayless averages 7.4 points and 3.0 assists per game in about 17 minutes a game.

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Here’s what’s big in the local fishwrap this morning.

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Esoteric stats of the day

Toronto is 0-11 this season when trailing at halftime, the Raptors are 0-6 when they’re behind after the first quarter. Puts those fourth quarter losses in some kind of perspective, doesn’t it?

Maybe game are won and lost early.

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For what it’s worth

Tom Washington, Leon Wood and Karl Lane will be blowing the whistles tonight.

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Balanced attack

Much was made on how seamlessly Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay would mesh in the Memphis offence. They seem to be getting along swimmingly.

Memphis has four players – Randolph, Gay, Conley and Gasol – averaging at least 14 points per game.

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Comments

[larry lukeeborg]

maybe you should have written 'Tom Washington, Leon Wood and Karl Lane will be blowing the game' tonight, just to appease some of the frothing masses.

Blogger's note: I'll let them work themselves in a lather; it's fun to watch

[Paul B]

Doug, lots blame today. While I appreciate everyone's comments, I'd like to know what the team is thinking.

Has there been any talk about bringing Bargs in off of the bench? Or sitting him down for a game? Has anyone asked the question? What is BC/Casey's response?

Blogger's note: No, no talk. Unlike the over-reactive here, they see no reason to change. It's, frankly, a ridiculous question. And if you want an answer, refer to the post-game story from Sunday.

[Jeff]

Prediction - Raps will lose.

[james]

I must say I loved the angst today. Whether they will admit it or not, your posters care about this team . . . a lot. You are correct, of course, to call for patience and perspective. As for Bargnani, who else could they have selected in that draft with that pick? How about LaMarcus Aldridge? Who else appears in the same CNN/SI piece referenced by @Ian as a disappointing underachiever this year? How about LaMarcus Aldridge? Last year's visit to Memphis produced one of their most memorable games and most unexpected wins. Personally I can hardly wait to see the encore. This is how it is when you follow a team.

[Colin K]

Oh Gad.

[Paul B]

Doug, lots blame today. While I appreciate everyone's comments, I'd like to know what the team is thinking.

Has there been any talk about bringing Bargs in off of the bench? Or sitting him down for a game? Has anyone asked the question? What is BC/Casey's response?

Blogger's note: No, no talk. Unlike the over-reactive here, they see no reason to change. It's, frankly, a ridiculous question. And if you want an answer, refer to the post-game story from Sunday.

Frankly Doug, that is a ridiculous reply. I didn't say anything about Bargs being the sole cause, but he is clearly struggling, and not even doing the effort things. A shot can come and go, but effort is attitude. A kick in the ass is in order, perhaps more than one ridiculous ass.