The Toronto Raptors finally play a home game for the first time in three weeks. That astonishing gap was created by a six-game road trip with the All-Star break in the middle. Anyway, the boys are back in town, and the Grizzlies are the opponents. Can our team bounce back after two dispiriting road defeats in succession?
Let’s start by considering Memphis. The Grizzlies were active prior to the trade deadline (or “dudline” as Chris Sheridan dubbed last week’s non-event) and their roster is in some turmoil as a result. Their biggest problem is not personnel turnover, however; the loss of do-everything centre Marc Gasol to a broken foot has dealt a severe blow to their hopes of being a dark-horse playoff contender.