Raptors are a Tougher Out than You Think in the NBA Playoffs

Just three and a half weeks ago, the Toronto Raptors had lost three consecutive games, including a 104-96 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Toronto was 34-30, holding onto the first spot in the Play-In Game, and trailing the Cavs by four games in the East for the last spot in.

Things have since changed.

The Raptors flipped the script; going 10-2 over their last 12 and moving past the aforementioned Clippers into the 6-spot. If the season were to end today, it would be the Cavaliers in the Play-In Tournament on April 12; giving the Raptors until at least April 16 to rest up for a guaranteed spot in the postseason.

Not only has Nick Nurse's squad been outstanding down the stretch of the season, they've also beaten some of the top teams in the league, including the Phoenix Suns, who have an 8-game lead at 62-14 this season in the Western Conference, and have a 13-game lead over the top seed in the East in the Miami Heat.

Furthermore, the Raptors are seemingly the opposite of another fellow Eastern Conference playoff foe; the Chicago Bulls.

Toronto has played their best basketball against teams above .500; going 27-18 for a 60% winning percentage. Chicago, has been a bum-slayer; going 22-10 vs. teams below .500. Both teams are 44-32 on the season, so who would you trust against tougher competition?

The Raptors Still Offer Great Value to Win the East

Toronto remains +4000 to win the Eastern Conference over at WynnBET Sportsbook and +10000 to take home another NBA title.

It's a daunting task, given the Raptors' up-and-down nature throughout the season, but here's why I think they can at least make things interesting.

The Raptors' roster is a unicorn. Nobody on their roster is taller than 6'10," and only four players, Fred Van Vleet (6'1"), Malachi Flynn (6'1"), Armoni Brooks (6'3"), and Gary Trent Jr. (6'5") are shorter than 6'7."

At the start of the season, Sixers coach Doc Rivers mentioned how he couldn't believe their roster layout, with the bulk of their entire roster anywhere between 6'7" and 6'9."

"One thing I thought stood out was their length. Even at the guards, all their players were long and athletic and I thought we had a lot of short guys on the floor... There were times when our guards were inside on rebounds and they still got them because of their length and size. So that's a concern."

Toronto is finally starting to figure out how to use their length and athleticism to their advantage in an era transitioning to position-less basketball. They've since become a top-10 defensive rated team in the league, and are top-3 since March 6 in defensive rating; trailing only Memphis and Boston.

The Raptors may not win it all, but they won't make life easy for whoever they end up playing.

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