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Raptors crack Grizzlies B team

NBA – Deprived of three holders, including Ja Morant, a valiant Memphis team dominated for three quarters, before being taken over in the last act and finally cracking, against the imperfect but united Raptors (106-103) .

Nice end to the “road-trip” for the Raptorswinners by force of the Grizzlies at the FedExForum, for the seventh and final leg of this long trip to the West Coast, which started on January 25.

It was however badly embarked for the men of Nick Nurse, clearly dominated during the first three quarters by a team which nevertheless evolved without Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams, but which thanks to a solid defense and a pragmatic attack (57 % on shots in the first period, in particular) sailed calmly in the meeting, taking up to 15 points in advance in the third quarter.

Then came the last act, the scene of the changeover of the momentum in favor of Toronto. Under the impetus in particular of a very good Scottie Barnesauthor of 13 of his 16 points in this fourth quarter, the Raptors have slowly but surely instilled doubt in the minds of their opponents.

The “sophomore” of the Canadian squad will even register the decisive basket on the muzzle of Years Jackson Jrfollowed on the next possession of a decisive counter by Fred VanVleet on Desmond Baneto secure this narrow but precious success for morale in this week of “trade deadline”, which could be agitated in Canada.

WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER

Ja Morant in turmoil. Officially, Ja Morant was out with a wrist injury. Unofficially, he and his family are in turmoil after threats to the Pacers were revealed after a home meeting in late January. The NBA has opened an investigation and the facts are very serious.

A victory with wear for the Raptors. For three quarters, the Raptors have indeed alternated hot and cold. Never dropped but never in a position to reverse the meeting either, they ran after the score and then seemed doomed to bow logically, in this pattern. But the spark was finally ignited in the last act, and it came notably from Scottie Barnes, Thaddeus Young and Precious Achiuwa, decisive in the offensive rebound and in cutting the passing lines. Quoted daily in transfer rumors as the “deadline” approached, the Raptors never gave up, continuing, minute after minute, to hunker down until they managed to falter the Grizzlies. There boxscore also shows this solidarity well: seven players scored between 10 and 20 points.

Tyus Jones, the safe bet. Without Ja Morant, the eldest of the Jones brothers ensured in the five major, as was sometimes the case last season. Sure value with the ball in hand (even if he lost 4 balls in this meeting), he weighed relatively little in attack, with only 9 points, but coal in the other areas: 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 interceptions . A clean, discreet but valuable match, from one of the best substitutes in the league.

TOPS/FLOPS

Chris Boucher. At the center of a team united in its efforts, the Canadian interior has certainly been the most consistent Raptor, with its double-double at 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. His outward address (3/4) and verticality in the paint were particularly valuable for Toronto.

Desmond Bane. Logical option number 1 in attack without Ja Morant, the rear was true to himself, sober and efficient: 26 points (10/17), 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. But he was countered by Fred VanVleet on his last drive towards the circle in the final seconds, to restore the advantage to the Grizzlies.

Years Jackson Jr. Little success in attack for “JJJ” (7/17, including 0/6 from 3-points), who notably missed the equalizer against the exemplary defense of Scottie Barnes on the last possession, but all the same even 18 points and above all a huge defensive activity, as usual: 8 rebounds and 4 blocks.

⛔️ Grizzlies bench. It is perhaps there, in the end, that lies the key to the match. While the Raptors, largely thanks to the contribution of their bench (36 points), remained in the game for a long time before accelerating in the last act, the Grizzlies experienced slumps with each entry of the substitutes, authors of only 23 stitches. The starters from Memphis dominated those from Toronto, but the Canadian troops made the difference, in the end, with their bench.

THE FOLLOWING

Grizzlies (32-21) : reception of the Bulls, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (02:00).

Raptors (25-30) : reception of the Spurs, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (01:30).

Memphis / 103ShotsBounces
PlayersMinShots3ptsLFODTPdFteIntBpCt+/-PtsEval
J. Jackson Jr.327/170/64/717803034+11814
S. Aldama325/112/83/306640032+51518
X. Tillman324/70/04/74593212001217
T. Jones344/90/11/117871340+6918
D. Bane3310/174/72/202242421+22628
B. Clarke162/50/02/205532000-3611
Z. Williams111/30/10/011221010-323
D. Roddy132/31/11/110111210-268
J. Konchar181/11/10/003302022-1136
D. Green192/52/20/000012020-1062
38/7810/2717/2383644251610209103125
Toronto / 106ShotsBounces
PlayersMinShots3ptsLFODTPdFteIntBpCt+/-PtsEval
Q. I’m sorry287/172/63/424655120-131918
P. Achiuwa315/120/30/017801300-111014
S. Barnes357/152/60/025723242+71617
F. VanVleet396/192/91/114571120+41513
G. Trent Jr.375/140/30/102201020-7100
T. Young255/81/23/613442200+121418
C. Boucher277/103/40/0371013010+121724
M. Flynn172/61/30/010150200+1159
44/10111/367/12113243241611112106113

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