The short-handed Toronto Raptors needed someone to step up and help Chris Bosh offensively as they await the return of two starters from injuries. Andrea Bargnani has been the one to rise to the challenge.

Bargnani and the Raptors go for their fourth win in five games Friday when they host the slumping Memphis Grizzlies.

Toronto (15-21) has played well recently despite the absence of two of its top offensive threats in Jermaine O'Neal (right knee) and Jose Calderon (right hamstring), who combine to average 27.1 points per game. O'Neal has missed the last five contests while Calderon has been out the previous three.

The Raptors were even more short-handed in their last game after Jamario Moon left the team to be with his wife following the birth of their child. Moon has started 26 games this season and is averaging 6.9 points.

Bargnani and Bosh, however, made the absence of the three starters insignificant Wednesday, as Bargnani scored 25 points and Bosh added 18 as Toronto defeated Washington 99-93.

The Raptors committed 20 turnovers, but shot 54.4 percent from the field and led by as many as 21.

"They're familiar with each other," interim coach Jay Triano said of Bargnani and Bosh, "and they're starting to jell."

The 7-foot Bargnani is averaging 11.5 points this season, but has started at center the last five games and averaged 21.8 points over that span. He was 8-of-9 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range Wednesday.

A 43.6 percent shooter this season, Bargnani is shooting 57.4 percent in the last five contests.

"He's cutting to the basket pretty well," Bosh said. "I know where he is on the court ... and I don't hesitate because he's been shooting the ball well the last four or five games."

O'Neal and Calderon are uncertain for Friday, but Moon is expected to return.

After taking advantage of the lowly Wizards, owners of the worst record in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors will try to do the same Friday against Memphis (11-25), losers of 10 of its last 12.

The Grizzlies fell 100-89 to New Jersey on Wednesday, getting held below 90 points for the fourth time in five games. O.J. Mayo scored 26 points and Rudy Gay had 23 for Memphis, which suffered a 94-87 loss to Minnesota on Tuesday.

"Every team plays a back-to-back," said Mayo, averaging a team-high 19.9 points. "It's not our first back-to-back, it's not going to be our last, so there's no excuse there. We've just got to come out and play. We're a professional ball team and we've got to come out and play hard."

Wednesday's loss was the Grizzlies' fourth straight on the road. They're 2-14 away from home this season.

Toronto has won three straight over Memphis after losing the previous eight meetings.