Grizzlies at Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have won eight in a row at home and they'll have Kawhi Leonard back in action when they try to push the streak to nine straight against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. Leonard (rest), who has scored at least 30 points in five of seven games this month, sat out Thursday's 111-109 win over Phoenix.
He was able to watch Paskal Siakam deliver the win with a basket at the buzzer as Toronto improved to 19-4 at home. "It just means a lot," Siakam told reporters. "It just shows that they believe in what they see every day ... It just feels good that they're able to trust me with the last shot of the game. All it can do is just build confidence and I think that’s kind of what I need." The Grizzlies opened their two-game road trip with a 122-116 loss at Boston on Friday. Mike Conley scored 26 points in the loss as Memphis dropped its sixth straight away from home.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), SportsNet One (Toronto)
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (19-26): Rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. backed Conley with 23 points and four others scored at least 12 in Friday's loss, which gave Memphis something to be proud of despite dropping its fourth straight overall. "We did a lot of great things offensively," coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "A 38-point second quarter, the way we moved the ball, the way we got contributions from guys all over the floor and up and down the roster." Center Marc Gasol struggled through a 1-for-10 shooting night but made up for it with a season-high 12 assists.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (34-13): Siakam finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in the win over the Suns as his breakout season continues. "He's an energy guy that should make lots of plays. He should block a shot, he should grab a loose ball, he should be out running," coach Nick Nurse told reporters. CJ Miles and Delon Wright chipped in off the bench by combining for 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Raptors SF OG Anunoby (personal) is expected to miss his third straight game.
2. Siakam is 0-for-11 from 3-point range over his last six games.
3. Grizzlies PG Shelvin Mack is averaging 8.2 points per game, but he's scored in double figures in five straight contests.