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Predictions For The Atlantic Division In The 2016-17 Season

By Carter Johnson

Mar 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks to shoot as Boston Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk (41) defends in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks to shoot as Boston Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk (41) defends in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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 /

2. Toronto Raptors

2015-16 Record: 56-26 (1st In Atlantic Division)
2016-17 Prediction: 50-32 (2nd In Atlantic Division) 

The Toronto Raptors had a historic season in 2015-16.

The franchise achieved several firsts last year, including their first 50-win season and their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance. They followed up such a monumental season by locking up star guard DeMar DeRozan with a five-year, $134 million contract.

With DeRozan rejoining All-Star Kyle Lowry and the team’s roster from last season remaining largely intact, one would be led to believe that The North could only improve upon their historic run from last season, right?

Well, the Raptors did suffer significant loss in their frontcourt this offseason as breakout player Bismack Biyombo bolted for the Orlando Magic and veteran Luis Scola joined the Brooklyn Nets.

While former Celtics forward Jared Sullinger and rookie center Jakob Poeltl are solid additions, it’s hard to say either one of them can replace the energy and defensive presence that Biyombo brought off of the bench.

In addition to that, the competition in their division and the conference overall seemingly got better overnight, with their biggest challenger in the Celtics landing an All-Star caliber contributor to greatly improve an already solid roster.

Maybe I’m being too pessimistic, but it just feels like things are only going to tail off for the Raptors following an unprecedented run in the 2015-16 season.

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