The Toronto Raptors (7-7) will look to get back over .500 tonight when the Memphis Grizzlies (5-9) visit the ACC. This will mark the second and last time these two teams will meet this year. The Raptors beat the Grizzlies 95-89 a week ago in Memphis. Chris Bosh led the Raptors with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Mike Miller was the best Grizzly on the floor, recording a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The Raptors are coming off a win Sunday against the struggling Chicago Bulls 93-78. Jose Calderon made his third consecutive start and didn’t disappoint, scoring 19 points and adding 14 assists. Chris Bosh also played well recording his seventh double-double of the season, scoring 16 points and grabbing 13 boards.

The Grizzlies did the Raptors a favour last night by beating the surging New Jersey Nets 110-103. The Nets had won three game in a row and were looking strong with Vince Carter back in the line up, but didnt have enough to beat the Grizz. Mike Miller was the most complete Grizzlie on the floor, scoring 19 points and dishing out 9 assists. Jason Kidd recorded his 91st triple double (12-15-12) in the loss.

Starters:
Jose Calderon/Damon Stoudamire
Anthony Parker/Juan Carlos Navarro
Jamario Moon/Mike Miller
Chris Bosh/Rudy Gay
Andrea Bargnani/Paul Gasol

Key Match-ups:
Chris Bosh continues to be a double-double machine. He’s playing the type of basketball Toronto fans have grown accustom to in the last couple of seasons. He should continue his strong play tonight, regardless of who’s guarding him.

The best match up could come from the point. Former Raptor Damon Stoudamire should get the start, but look for Juan Carlos Navarro to get the job guarding fellow Spaniard Jose Calderon. Navarro started at shooting guard against the Nets and should get the nod again tonight.

Predictions:
The Grizzlies have won two in a row, averaging 117 ppg during that time. They’re also allowing 110.5 point against, which means there could be a good old fashion shoot out tonight at the ACC. The Raptors are overall a better team and if they can execute their half court offence and limit turnovers then they’ll hand Memphis its tenth loss of the season.

X-men:
Raptors: Jose Calderon
Calderon is averaging 12 ppg 11.7 apg in the three games he’s started. Jose also has a ridiculous 35/3 turnover ratio as a starter.
Grizzlies: Rudy Gay
Gay is coming off his most unproductive start of the season. He fouled out in the fourth quarter with only 7 points. Gay is averaging 17.8 ppg so far this season and should bounce back tonight.

Game Notes:
It is Toronto’s turn to host “Spanish Day” at the ACC. Last Wednesday the Grizzlies honoured the compliment of Spanish players on both teams; Forward Garbajosa saw a specialist in Baltimore on Monday regarding his ailing leg. It seems that Garbo needs surgery and is out indefinetly; This isnt a rematch of th coveted Naismith Cup. When the Grizzlies were in Vancouver, they would play an exhibition for the Cup in the preseason. So it was considered a one game playoff, which the Raptors won last week; TJ Ford is not expected to be in the line up for the rest of the week because of the stinger to his arm; forward Jamario Moon had his best game of his career against the Bulls, scoring 15 points, grabbing 9 boards and blocking 6.

Memphis center Darko Milicic is a game decision tonight. Darko’s missed the last 6 games with a thumb injury; Pau Gasol scored in double digits for the 72nd consecutive time, the 4th longest current streak in the league.

Other Points of View:
Check out our friends at 3 Shades of Blue for their pre-game analysis on tonight’s game.

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