Memphis Grizzlies Focus On Toronto Raptors After Fight-Marred Loss To Cavaliers

The Memphis Grizzlies will try to get their minds off of their fight-marred loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers when they face the Toronto Raptors at the FedEx Forum Sunday.

Thursday's loss was the Grizzlies' second consecutive one, and they will be without Dillon Brooks following his skirmish with the Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell.

Brooks was suspended for one game without pay for his involvement in the clash, the league announced Friday. ESPN's Bobby Marks tweeted that the one-game ban will cost Brooks $78,621.

With Brooks listed as out, Memphis will have to turn to its other players to step up against Toronto.

They will be led by Desmond Bane and Ja Morant, who finished with 25 points and 24 points, respectively, in the 113-128 loss to the Cavaliers.

In their first meeting back in December 2022, the Grizzlies won over the Raptors, 119-106. Memphis can sweep the regular season series against Toronto Sunday.

Memphis is expected to rely on its offense once more. They are eighth in the league in team scoring, norming 116.5 points per contest. They also own an offensive rating of 113.9, 12th in the NBA.

On the other side, the Raptors are hoping to string up their second win after defeating the Houston Rockets, 117-111, Friday.

Fred VanVleet led Toronto in that win with 32 points, five rebounds and four assists. Backing him up was Gary Trent Jr., who finished with 29 points and two assists.

"There wasn't a lot of energy in the building or from us at the start," Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said after the game, according to ESPN. "But give our guys off the bench some credit to come in and get some energy going. They kind of righted the ship and got into some good, nice stretches there of playing at both ends."

The Raptors are expected to rely on their defense once more as they try to add to the frustration of the Grizzlies.

The Raptors are giving up 112.6 points per contest, making them 11th in the league. They own a defensive rating of 114.2, 20th in the NBA. Against a team like Memphis, Toronto needs to tighten things up, especially against a team that has Morant and Bane.

The Grizzlies are -5 favorites to pull off a win against the Raptors, which are at +5, according to odds provided by Tipico sports betting. The Moneyline set is -200 for Memphis and +170 for Toronto.

The Memphis Grizzlies get ready to host the Toronto Raptors Sunday at the FedEx Forum, with tip-off set for 6 p.m. EST. The game can be watched via NBA League Pass or live-streamed via FuboTV.