The Raptors have started their four-game Western road swing strong. Heading into Tuesday’s game in Denver, Toronto has a win over the Clippers and a 1-point loss to the Suns, covering the spread in both contests.
However, facing an elite Nuggets squad at altitude, then traveling that night to Utah for Wednesday’s game at altitude will make the Raptors weak in the knees for the road finale.
Coach Jay Triano told reporters that Denver always plays a physical game against his team. Perimeter star Hedo Turkoglu is nursing a hip injury and - despite playing and scoring 20 points against Phoenix - may be in slow motion come Wednesday.
"We're a finesse team right now," Triano told the Toronto Star. "We're trying to get tougher and we are but it's not happening overnight."
Utah, on the other hand, has a ton of time to lick its wounds. The Jazz have been off since losing at Cleveland on Saturday and will have All-Star guard Deron Williams back in the lineup after he was away from the team dealing with family issues.
Pick: Utah -7.5
Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies (-4, 202)
Getting rid of Allen Iverson sooner than later was the best move the Grizzlies made since dumping the fugly teal and brown jerseys left over from the failed Vancouver days.
Waiving bye-bye to the troublesome veteran won’t have any negative impact on the team but still leaves Memphis as one of the worst offensive clubs in the NBA. The Grizzlies are averaging just 85 points over their last three games, falling below the total in all three.
Their most recent effort was a 97-87 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, which snapped a seven-game losing streak. Memphis shot just under 49 percent from the floor but was a dismal 2-for-14 from the arc.
The Grizzlies haven’t been able to capitalize on the long ball. They’ve hit just five of their 31 3-pointers over the last three games and are shooting just over 30 percent from outside on the season.
The Clippers aren’t much to watch on offense, either. They’re scoring only 96 points a night and have a 4-7 over/under mark on the season.
Pick 'n' Roll 11/18
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