The Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors have a very similar-but-different feel between them this season.
Both teams are caught in some stage of the awkward purgatory between contending and rebuilding. They’re built around two stars that may not figure into their long-term plans. Both teams had ambitions of morphing into viable three-point threats this season and have so far failed.
But while the Grizzlies have stumbled amid a flurry of injuries, beefs and coach axings, the Raptors have perhaps beaten expectations thanks to a sneakily precocious bench.
Their paths collide Friday at FedEx Forum, as the Grizzlies look to rebound from their recent turmoil.