Nov 19, 2014
Raptors use big fourth quarter to outlast undermanned Grizzlies
The Toronto Raptors put up another huge fourth quarter and got timely defence down the stretch Wednesday night to hand the Memphis Grizzlies just their second loss of the season, 96-92.
TSN.ca Staff
The Toronto Raptors put up another huge fourth quarter and got timely defence down the stretch to hand the Memphis Grizzlies just their second loss of the season, 96-92.
All the focus heading into the match-up was on the return of Vince Carter, who was finally embraced by the franchise and Toronto's fans. A teary-eyed Carter was welcomed back to Toronto with a video tribute as part of the team's 20th anniversary celebration during a first-quarter break in play.
The Raptors stormed out to an early lead, with nine unanswered points to start the game and led through one quarter after Greivis Vasquez hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer.
The Grizzlies pulled out front in the second quarter (48-42 at half) and carried a 74-69 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Raptors, who have been good in the fourth all year, took advantage of an under-manned Grizzlies team.Memphis was without Tony Allen, Courtney Lee, Jon Leuer, Kosta Koufos and Beno Udrih in Toronto on Wednesday - all of them battling a stomach virus. Memphis had only nine active players.
Toronto won its second straight after rebounding from its second loss of the season with a home win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday. The game marked the sixth of seven straight home games for the Raptors.
The win snapped Memphis' four-game winning streak, dropping their NBA-leading record to 10-2 on the season. The Raptors improve to an Eastern Conference-leading 9-2.