I know it's still a really long shot, but if everything falls into place, I think the Raptors would have a chance, however small, at playing in the finals. Let me explain. First, I think it's optimal for the Raptors if the standings remain the same as they currently are when the playoffs start:
1. Miami
2. Indiana
3. Toronto
4. Chicago
5. Brooklyn
6. Washington
7. Charlotte
8. Atlanta
This would mean that Toronto would play, in my mind, the easiest possible first round matchup, as they are 3-1 against Washington this season, with the one loss being in TRIPLE! overtime. There's no guarantees in the playoffs, but this is probably the Raptors ideal first round matchup, and most likely to put them in the second round without too much of a struggle.
So, assuming the Raptors win their first round matchup, and assuming the standings do not change any further prior to the playoffs, the first round matchups and likely winners would look like this:
1. Miami vs 8. Atlanta - Miami, it would be great if Atlanta pulled off an unreal upset, though
2. Indiana vs 7. Charlotte - Indiana, pretty likely unless they carry the current slump into the playoffs, and even still
3. Toronto vs 6. Washington - Toronto, unless they or the wizards play differently than they did all season
4. Chicago vs 5. Brooklyn - Brooklyn, it's really hard to say, though, and Chicago does look dangerous, but Brooklyn needs to win this in order to help the Raptors, I think, as will become evident throughout this post, so I'll assume Brooklyn advances for now.
The second round match-ups would then look like this:
1. Miami vs 5. Brooklyn
2. Indiana vs 3. Toronto
This is why it is important Brooklyn wins, because they are 3-0!! against Miami this season, which is unheard of, and there's no guarantees this will carry over to the playoffs, but they might have the best shot at taking down the heat than any team in the playoffs. As for the Toronto-Indiana matchup, after seeing the most recent game between the two, without Kyle Lowry OR Amir Johnson, and the Raptors pulling off the win, this gives good reason for optimism in the event of a series with the Pacers.
So, if Toronto actually does manage to beat the Pacers, and if Brooklyn can carry over the regular season success against the Heat and beat them, then the Conference Finals would be Toronto vs Brooklyn. As Toronto is 2-2 against Brooklyn this season (one of those losses before the Rudy Gay trade), the series could (hopefully) be really close, and give the Raptors a shot at a first ever NBA finals appearance!
What does everyone think, maybe it could happen?
1. Miami
2. Indiana
3. Toronto
4. Chicago
5. Brooklyn
6. Washington
7. Charlotte
8. Atlanta
This would mean that Toronto would play, in my mind, the easiest possible first round matchup, as they are 3-1 against Washington this season, with the one loss being in TRIPLE! overtime. There's no guarantees in the playoffs, but this is probably the Raptors ideal first round matchup, and most likely to put them in the second round without too much of a struggle.
So, assuming the Raptors win their first round matchup, and assuming the standings do not change any further prior to the playoffs, the first round matchups and likely winners would look like this:
1. Miami vs 8. Atlanta - Miami, it would be great if Atlanta pulled off an unreal upset, though
2. Indiana vs 7. Charlotte - Indiana, pretty likely unless they carry the current slump into the playoffs, and even still
3. Toronto vs 6. Washington - Toronto, unless they or the wizards play differently than they did all season
4. Chicago vs 5. Brooklyn - Brooklyn, it's really hard to say, though, and Chicago does look dangerous, but Brooklyn needs to win this in order to help the Raptors, I think, as will become evident throughout this post, so I'll assume Brooklyn advances for now.
The second round match-ups would then look like this:
1. Miami vs 5. Brooklyn
2. Indiana vs 3. Toronto
This is why it is important Brooklyn wins, because they are 3-0!! against Miami this season, which is unheard of, and there's no guarantees this will carry over to the playoffs, but they might have the best shot at taking down the heat than any team in the playoffs. As for the Toronto-Indiana matchup, after seeing the most recent game between the two, without Kyle Lowry OR Amir Johnson, and the Raptors pulling off the win, this gives good reason for optimism in the event of a series with the Pacers.
So, if Toronto actually does manage to beat the Pacers, and if Brooklyn can carry over the regular season success against the Heat and beat them, then the Conference Finals would be Toronto vs Brooklyn. As Toronto is 2-2 against Brooklyn this season (one of those losses before the Rudy Gay trade), the series could (hopefully) be really close, and give the Raptors a shot at a first ever NBA finals appearance!
What does everyone think, maybe it could happen?
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