Grizzlies rally but lose to defensive Raptors
TORONTO 108, GRIZZLIES 99
Twenty-five years ago, the Grizzlies and Raptors entered the NBA as laughingstocks, combining for just 36 wins that first season.
Both teams wore those 1995-96 throwback uniforms in Sunday's game, but they're a far cry from those middling days.
The Raptors are defending champions, while the Grizzlies are still learning how to be a playoff team.
The Raptors' 108-99 win in Florida was a defensive clinic as the Grizzlies shot just 36.9% through three quarters.
They rallied in the fourth quarter to get within three with 3:33 left, but once again, a veteran team finished them off.
All-star forward Pascal Siakam hit two 3-pointers to start a 10-2 run, and the Grizzlies lost their first chance to clinch a spot in the play-in tournament.
The Grizzlies (33-38) still lead the
Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 8 seed with two games left.
Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant added his first dunk highlight in the bubble with a one-handed alley-oop pass from De'anthony Melton.
A day after being named a finalist for NBA Rookie of the Year, Morant added to his resume with 17 points and 10 assists.
Dillon Brooks' shooting struggles returned with 25 points on 26 shot attempts, although he scored nine points in the fourth quarter during the Grizzlies' final push. Grayson Allen continued his torrid scoring with 20 points off the bench.
The Grizzlies' bench as a whole continued to find its form as Brandon Clarke added 16 points and nine rebounds. Melton had eight points and a career-high six steals.
Raptors center Marc Gasol had 10 points and six rebounds in his first game against the Grizzlies.
He thrived on defense as he helped hold Jonas Valanciunas scoreless on just two shot attempts.
The loss, however, could benefit the Grizzlies this week.
With the Raptors clinching the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, the top three seeds are set with the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 1 and Boston Celtics at No. 3
That means the Celtics could rest or limit their starters when the Grizzlies face them Tuesday.
The Grizzlies almost certainly will see a different Bucks team Thursday that will rest its starters.
One win in their next two games locks in a spot in the play-in tournament, which begins Saturday.
But coach Taylor Jenkins preferred to think about what his Grizzlies need to do instead of how other teams are looking ahead.
"You read about it, you see what's out there, but we don't focus on it. To us, we still are the controllers of our destiny right now," Jenkins said before the game. "We can take care of our business (and) that's all we've got to focus on.