Raptors Uprising will look to finish regular season strong against Grizz Gaming

TORONTO, Canada—Raptors Uprising GC will try and finish the 2021 NBA 2K League regular season off on a high note when they take on Grizz Gaming in Week 12 action Wednesday night.

The NBA 2K League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, Raptors Uprising, have looked like a totally different side since the injection of Dimez, who was acquired recently via trade, into the lineup, as the team has rallied off four straight wins with their new point guard heading into this one.

The league’s first-ever draft pick enjoyed a memorable debut scoring a combined 57 points to go along with 26 assists against NetsGC on Wednesday, July 28. Two nights later, Dimez led Raptors Uprising to its second 2-0 sweep of the week, beating Warriors Gaming Squad by scores of 73-70 and 81-71. The point guard scored a combined 55 points with 14 assists to help mark the team’s first undefeated week of NBA 2K League action in 2021.

For his efforts — taking down two formidable opponents — Dimez would become the first Raptors Uprising player this season to be named NBA 2K League Player of the Week.

“Dimez, he’s changing the culture right now,” said reigning MVP Kenny Got Work. “I feel like we’re the best backcourt in the league.”

The duo, who have looked unstoppable early on, will try and keep that momentum going against another tough opponent on Wednesday in Grizz Gaming (16-10). Memphis currently sits in third place in the Eastern Conference and have won four out of their last five games.

The team is led by their point guard, Vandi, who is averaging 25 points and 9.8 assists per game entering this one. In addition, Toronto native AuthenticAfrican is always one Raptors Uprising have to keep an eye on, as the Canadian international has come into his own at the centre spot in his fourth year with Grizz Gaming, averaging 13.7 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks on 77.9 per cent shooting from the floor.

These two teams met earlier this season at THE TIPOFF Tournament, where Memphis would come out on the winning side of things, including getting the better of Toronto in a one-point nail biter. The two victories were Grizz Gaming’s first and second over Raptors Uprising in six previous meetings.

“I’m glad that we’re playing them again because that was my first time ever losing to them since I’ve been in the league, so it hurt,” said Memphis native Kenny Got Work. “It hurt a lot losing to my hometown team, so that’s something that’s scheduled on my calendar and I’m looking forward to that matchup.”

It’s worth noting that while Raptors Uprising will not be able to qualify for the playoffs through the regular season, achieving that feat through THE TICKET Tournament powered by AT&T — which takes place later this month — still remains a very real possibility, as the winning team from each conference will automatically secure a berth in the 2021 NBA 2K League Playoffs.

And as mentioned off the bat, this is a completely different looking Raptors Uprising (9-17) team, a side who will be hungry to get some revenge over their foes from the South as they look to finish the regular season strong and enter THE TICKET on a high note.

How to Watch: Raptors Uprising and Grizz Gaming will tipoff at 7 pm EST before once again squaring off at 8 pm EST Wednesday night. As always, fans can tune in on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch or YouTube channels.