The Memphis Grizzlies are so decimated with injuries that they’re beginning to over-exert even their most diminutive of role players. They have no choice, really. The deactivated list in Memphis will make you cringe. Marc Gasol’s broken foot and Mike Conley’s Achilles ailment have caused the Grizzlies to free-fall – losing eight of ten.
Tony Allen, a player who normally gives DeMar DeRozan all kinds of trouble on the defensive end, is playing through pain, and Zach Randolph will be playing his second game back from an ankle injury. Everything in Memphis is chaotic right now, and to cope with their slippage – one that could see them concede the fifth seed to the overachieving Portland Trailblazers – head coach Dave Joerger has given more burn to Matt Barnes and Vince Carter. Barnes is now starting for the Grizzlies, playing 20% more than he’s accustomed to this season; while Carter is exerting a heavier role off the bench.
Just hours ago, the Grizzlies signed the undrafted Bryce Cotton to a 10-day contract to add one more body to the roster. If he plays tonight, he will be the 28th player to log minutes for the franchise this season – an NBA record previously held by the ’96-’97 Mavericks who suited up 27 players at least once.
If Bryce Cotton (signed to 10-day) gets in tonight, Grizzlies will set NBA record w/ 28 players logging at least 1 min for them this season
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 1, 2016
Projected starters
Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Norm Powell, Luis Scola, Jonas Valanciunas.
Memphis Grizzlies: Jordan Farmar, Tony Allen, Matt Barnes, Zach Randolph, Chris Andersen.
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It should be noted the Luis Scola is questionable and might not actually suit up, in which case, we could see either Patrick Patterson or Jason Thompson get the starting nod.
Blake’s got your full game preview here.
Tip-off is at 8 pm EST.
