The Toronto Raptors (42-34) and Memphis Grizzlies (25-51) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. The game will broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Raptors are 13.5-point favorites over the Grizzlies on the spread (Raptors -13.5), with the over/under set at 232.5 total points. Toronto is a -1000 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Memphis is +660 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Raptors vs. Grizzlies predictions and NBA picks for Friday, April 3.
Raptors vs Grizzlies Prediction, Pick
- Raptors vs Grizzlies pick: Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 Assists (-170)
My Grizzlies vs. Raptors best bet is on Scottie Barnes to record over 7.5 assists. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Raptors vs Grizzlies Odds
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13.5 -110 | 232.5 -115o / -105u | -1000 |
| Grizzlies Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13.5 -110 | 232.5 -115o / -105u | +660 |
Raptors vs Grizzlies NBA Preview
I saw a tweet today that said Scottie Barnes now has the second-longest streak of 10-assist games by a forward ever. Naturally, the longest streak belongs to LeBron James, who did it in seven straight games — and Barnes is at six right now.
So, Barnes has a chance to tie LeBron in something tonight — and anytime you can get yourself mentioned in the same breath as LeBron, you go for it.
It also helps that the matchup is great for him. The Raptors face the Grizzlies tonight, and they will be doing so without Immanuel Quickley, which already bodes well for Barnes in terms of assists.
The Grizzlies play at a very fast pace — top 10 in the league — and they allow the sixth-most assists to their opponents.
If you narrow it down to more recent games, the Grizzlies are allowing closer to the fourth-most assists while playing at the eighth-fastest pace. They are giving up a ton of looks at the rim, which is where Barnes does a lot of his playmaking.
Raptors vs Grizzlies Predictions, Betting Analysis
Barnes has recorded over 7.5 assists in seven of nine games without Quickley this season.
So, I don't mind adding a little sprinkle on him to record a triple-double in tonight's game as well — that's a fun angle sitting around +900.
This line is a bit high for Barnes — but given the context and the matchup, backing him to record over 7.5 assists seems like a reasonable bet.
Pick: Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 Assists (-170)
