Matt Tierney - Raptors.com
Toronto (50-24) closes out their season series with the Grizzlies (41-34) tonight at FedExForum in Memphis. The Raptors enter the game on a high after securing a franchise record 50th regular season victory with a win over the Hawks Wednesday night. The Grizzlies are sitting firmly in the middle of the Western Conference despite dropping four straight.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Zach Randolph – With Memphis missing two key core pieces in Conley and Gasol, 15-year veteran Randolph keeps ticking along. The 35-year old has been a model of consistency since he joined the Grizzlies and is once again averaging solid numbers of 15 points and eight rebounds on the season. Randolph is a crafty post player and Toronto will have to keep tabs on him around the offensive glass.
DeMar DeRozan</strong – DeRozan was solid in the Raps win over Atlanta recording a game-high 26 points to go along with six assists and five rebounds. Over his last four games, the Raps All-Star is shooting a sparkling 52% from the field including 63% from behind the arc. DeRozan will be up against good defenders tonight in Tony Allen & Matt Barnes but should still see the bulk of the touches on offence for TO.
50
Its official. Toronto recorded its first 50-win season after Wednesday’s victory over the Hawks.
It was only fitting that DeRozan, a lifetime Raptor, was the stand-out performer on the night.
“It means a lot. This group, I have to tell everybody, is going to go down in the record books. That’s big. You can never take that away."
His backcourt teammate Lowry has been here for four seasons and acknowledged the team’s growth over his time in Toronto.
“38, 48, 49, 50, pretty good progression. I think everyone in this organization who’s been here has built it up to be a winning organization. We’ve been on the right track and continue to grow.”
Always one striving for perfection, Coach Dwane Casey was asked his thoughts on the accomplishment and responded in typical Casey fashion.
“I think for our organization, for our program that we’re building, I think it’s a good step for us. Again, like I told the team, we’re not done yet…”