Memphis Grizzlies: Can the Grizzlies keep the West's 8 seed?

Can the Memphis Grizzlies keep the 8th seed in the Western Conference?

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies stands on the court during a Sacramento Kings free throw in the second half at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

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Memphis Grizzlies Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images /

Toronto Raptors: August 9th (2 PM ET)

The Toronto Raptors have not played Memphis this season so going into the NBA bubble will be a fresh fight against the two teams. The defending champion Raptors came into the season playing with swagger and despite having three current and previous All-Stars in Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol miss a total of 51 games, the Raptors still sit second in the East.

Every team in the NBA should be scared of the Raptors and so should Memphis. Marc Gasol will have some chip on his shoulder against his former team and with Siakam, Lowry and Fred VanVleet it’s going to be an upset if Memphis wins.

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Ja Morant will have to try his best against a slue of Raptors defenders in Lowry, Van Vleet, Norman Powell and whoever else Nick Nurse can throw at him. Jaren Jackson Jr. will have Pascal Siakam in the perimeter guarding him and the Serge Ibaka and Gasol down low so I wish good luck to both players.

Last season Jackson Jr. (With Gasol as a teammate) averaged 12 points and 3.5 rebounds against the Raptors last season. If Morant can get Jackson involved early and the Raptors don’t defend his shooting he may be able to get hot in the game but it’s unlucky as the Raptors this season was second in defensive rating, even with all their injuries were only behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the regular season.

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