November 9, 2026 at 4:46 AM UTC

Pregame Analysis

Slumping Grizzlies Put Their Perfect Road Record on the Line in Toronto

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Memphis brings a 4-0 road mark and a three-game skid into a Toronto game shaped by injuries on both sides.

This page is the pregame analysis. The box score is the main page for the game, and the matchup history collects every meeting between these teams.

Memphis arrives in Toronto with two conflicting trends. The Grizzlies have lost three straight after a start that put them atop the West, but they are still 4-0 away from home at 6-3 overall. This game tests whether that road record can survive a slide, especially with the rotation Memphis has available.

The Grizzlies are without Scotty Pippen Jr. (lumbar disc herniation), Isaiah Stewart (knee bone bruise) and Richie Saunders (knee). Losing a big man along with two other rotation pieces leaves them thin at a bad moment, and Toronto can lean on that.

Toronto has its own problems. Kawhi Leonard is out with a knee injury, and Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) and Nate Bittle (foot) are also hurt. That removes a lot of the Raptors' creation and depth. The biggest variable is Scottie Barnes, who is questionable with an adductor injury. He was visibly limited against the Clippers but played through it and led a comeback win. He had been averaging 30 points over four games, so if he suits up, Toronto has a clear offensive anchor against a short-handed Memphis group.

The Raptors also come in off a substantial loss to Denver, which left their four-game road trip split, with wins over the Lakers and Clippers. Now they are back home, and they showed against the Clippers that they can respond in tight games. Reports linking both clubs to Domantas Sabonis add some intrigue, but they will not change anything on the floor tonight.

I expect a close, grinding game. Barnes's presence and the comfort of home should give Toronto just enough against a Memphis team trying to stop its skid without three rotation players. The Grizzlies' road form keeps this tight into the final minutes, but Toronto edges it.

Prediction: Raptors 112, Grizzlies 108.

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