Toronto Raptors: Ranking Potential Playoff Opponents

Ranking Potential Playoff Opponents For The Toronto Raptors

Mar 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) talks with forward Patrick Patterson (54) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and guard Norman Powell (24) and forward Jason Thompson (1) during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Air Canada Centre. The Bulls beat the Raptors 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Chicago Bulls

The Toronto Raptors are 0-4 against Chicago this season, which doesn’t tell the whole story as the Bulls were without many of their key players in these games and still came away with the series sweep.

What makes them a desirable matchup:

The Chicago Bulls are not a very good team. They’re ranked 24th in offensive efficiency, 13th for defensive efficiency and are currently just outside of the playoff picture. They have weak links defensively in Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol, Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic that the Raptors can exploit. On paper, this should be one of the more favorable possibilities for the Raptors.

What makes them dangerous:

The Toronto Raptors just can’t seem to get over the mental barriers surrounding this team. Jimmy Butler has a strong case to be the most complete shooting guard in the NBA and is capable of giving the Raptors a hard time. The Bulls have been able to expose the Raptors’ poor perimeter defense this season and bait them into playing an ugly, gritty style of basketball.

For a Raptors team that’s been unable to get over the hump, the Bulls are the physical embodiment of all the demons the team is trying to get over.

Next: Miami Heat

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