Game 22: Raptors at Grizzlies!

Naismith Cup Redux!

• In another era these two teams matching up against each other was known as the Naismith Cup. Back when the Grizzlies were in Vancouver (1995-2000) they would play a regular season game in a different Canadian City in honour of James Naismith the Canadian who invented the game
• The Grizzlies have surpassed expectations this year and were on top of the Western Conference standings just a few games ago. Mainly because of the outstanding performance of their point guard Mike Conley. That's not taking anything away from players like Marc Gasol, Garrett Temple and Jaren Johnson Jr. The coaching of JB Bickerstaff deserves some credit too
• Chandler Parsons and Canadian born Dillon Brooks are out tonight for Memphis as are Norm Powell and Greg Monroe for the Raptors. Greg sits with a sore back

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Nina Simone - "Memphis in June"

It's a far cry from June, but the vocal power of Nina Simone can make you forget even the harshest of Winter weather.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Polar Beer

Yes that says Polar BEER. No it's not a Grizzly bear, but referencing a bear nontheless! Drank this alot during my time in Iceland

Raptors 1st in East 17-4! Grizzlies 4th in West 12-7!

Game 52: Grizzlies at Raptors!

It's Super Bowl Sunday, but that doesn't mean we can't find time for hoops! Raptors looking to make quick work of the visiting Grizzlies so they can get to where they need to be watch the Eagles take on the Patriots later today!

• CJ Miles is listed as questionable for this game as he missed the last 2 with knee soreness, other that all Raptors are available
• The Grizzlies on the other hand are missing quite a few players, Tyreke Evans, Mario Chalmers, Chandler Parsons and Mike Conley will all sit for the struggling Memphis squad
• Marc Gasol is in, but his name has been thrown around alot in trade rumours. February 8th is the trade deadline. Keep an eye on Memphis and the big Spaniard.

Today's Raptor Track!

The Holdsteady - "The Bear & The Maiden Fair"

This one brought to us by the 3rd or 4th season of Game Of Thrones? I Forget, but the episode definitely featured a huge Grizzly Bear!

Today's Game Day Drink!

Viewer's Choice

Maybe a bit of a cop-out, but it's Super Bowl Sunday! There should be plenty of options at your disposal tonight! Beer, wine, mixed-drinks and even some champagne for later! Cheers!

Raptors 2nd in East 35-16! Grizzlies 12th in West 18-33!

Game 23: Raptors at Memphis!

20 years ago whenever the Raptors and Grizzlies faced off it would be known as the Naismith Classic and it would be held in a different Canadian City each time. Of course that was when the Grizzlies were playing in Vancouver as 1 of the only 2 teams in the NBA situated outside of the US. Today only the Raptors remain as the Grizzles folded up shop and moved to Memphis in 1999. Will we ever see another Vancouver NBA team? Here's hoping, but only time will tell!

• Things haven't been a dance around the maypole in Memphis lately. After a disastrous start the organization fired head coach David Fizdale, and it has been hinted that they are listening to trade offers for Marc Gasol. Toronto has been one of the teams that those rumours are linked to.
• Mike Conley is out for the Grizzlies too. Another point of contention for Memphis fans is the highly paid point guard has spent plenty of time on the injured list instead of on the court
• Raptors are still without Delon Wright and Lucas Nogueira. Toronto is hoping to remain mostly healthy heading into the holidays, but they have a 4 game road swing to get out of the way first. It starts tonight in Memphis

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Joe Jackson - "Memphis"

Joe Jackson has been mainly known for his roots and inspiration of the New Wave scene of the late 70's and early 80's before shifting over to a more Jazz infused style. "Memphis"is off the soundtrack to the 1983 movie Mike's Murder which Jackson composed the music for

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Ambear Red Ale

For tonight's game day drink I needn't look much further than the glass in my hand. My wife picked up a Cameron's Brewing Sampler on her way home and the AmBEAR Red Ale is one of the options. This frothy, amber beer is best served cold. Sure the bear on the can is more Black Bear than Grizzly and Cameron's is a Canadian brewing company and not in Tennessee, but work with me here! It's a BEAR people!

Raptors 3rd in East 15-7! Grizzlies 12th in West 8-16!