Toronto Raptors: 3 teams Toronto doesn’t want to face in the playoffs

If the Toronto Raptors hope to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, avoiding these three teams gives them the best chance.

When the Toronto Raptors made the playoffs in 2014 for the first time in six seasons, they were just happy to be there. When they made the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016, it was more of the same.

Now, after four straight playoff appearances, just getting there isn’t enough for Toronto.

This year, they believe they can win it all.

DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry are their usual All-Star selves, but what makes the Raptors dangerous this season is their depth. Led by Fred VanVleet and C.J. Miles, Toronto’s bench mob leads all benches in scoring, assists, and field goal percentage since Feb. 1.

This team doesn’t ride or die with Lowry and DeRozan anymore. It ranks seventh in assists per game and is less predictable, something that’s plagued them in past playoffs.

All teams, no matter how great, have their weaknesses, and there are certain teams better equipped to exploit Toronto’s flaws in a potential seven-game series. If the Raptors want to challenge either the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals, they should hope to avoid these teams.

1. Milwaukee Bucks

The Raptors and Bucks played a tough six-game series in the first round of last season’s playoffs. Toronto had to come back from down 2-1 and clinched the series with a nail-biting Game 6 victory in Milwaukee.

This time around, the Bucks have reinforcements.

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They acquired Eric Bledsoe from Phoenix in November, and Jabari Parker returned from a torn ACL in January. Meanwhile, Khris Middleton is averaging a career-high 19.8 points per game. This team has a lot more scoring options than the one Toronto faced last season.

Assuming reigning Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon’s torn tendon heals completely, the Bucks will have a lot of length on defense to combat the Raptors’ newfound unselfishness.

And let’s not forget about Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak continues to improve each year, and with last season’s playoff experience in his back pocket, he’s dangerous.

Whichever team in a playoff series has the best player will always have a fighting chance, no matter the opponent. Against the Raptors, the Bucks would have that edge.

Throw in a bunch of long athletic perimeter players who can score as well as defend and you have a recipe for a first round upset.

2. Miami Heat

Teams that don’t deploy a prototypical superstar player are sneaky difficult to deal with. There is no head of the snake to cut off; just a bunch of above-average players, each one capable of hurting you in a different way.

Miami is a team that beats its opponents with physical defensive play and 3-point shooting. The Heat rank 10th in made 3s and eighth in defensive rating.

Goran Dragic snuck into the All-Star Game this season, while James Johnson and Hassan Whiteside provide physicality in the paint, with Johnson able to defend the perimeter and Whiteside able to protect the rim.

Their depth can compete with Toronto’s. Josh Richardson, Wayne Ellington, Kelly Olynk and Tyler Johnson can all provide a spark if needed.

In the playoffs, defenses tighten up and palms get sweaty. Every team needs someone to close a game almost single-handedly. Luckily for the Heat, after a year and a half away, their closer is back.

Dwyane Wade not only has one of the longest and most successful postseason resumes, he’s also done damage to the Raptors in the playoffs back in 2016. We most likely won’t be seeing the Dwyane Wade of old, but in limited minutes the 36-year-old still shows “flashes” of greatness.

Toronto has arguably two of the top 20 players in the league, but guys like Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas can be inconsistent at times.

Miami’s physicality can take a toll over the stretch of a series. With a balanced attack and a closer in their back pocket, they can spell real trouble for Toronto.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James has dominated the Eastern Conference since 2011.

Like a fine wine, he seems to have gotten better with age. As his athleticism wanes (barely) his IQ increases (a lot). With every game, LeBron collects data and analyzes it like a supercomputer, figuring out new ways to bend the defenses to his will.

It doesn’t matter who the coach is. His supporting cast is irrelevant. James and a pack of gummy bears is enough to get past pretty much any Eastern Conference opponent, Raptors included.

Toronto has experienced LeBron’s wrath firsthand. Cleveland eliminated the Raptors in the 2016 Conference Finals, as well as a sweep in the 2017 Eastern Conference semifinals.

We saw James fake sip a beer during a dead ball, spin the ball in his hand, and shoot floaters lefty style during last year’s matchup in the playoffs.

LeBron doesn’t fear Toronto. He has a psychological edge over the North, which makes him a matchup nightmare for anyone tasked with guarding him.

Next: 2018 NBA Draft - Early March Mock Draft

Maybe Toronto doesn’t fear LeBron. Maybe they believe that this team is different from years past. But no matter how good one thinks their team is, would Toronto really want to take its chances against the best player in the world?