Toronto Raptors: 4 elements to keep an eye on as the playoffs approach
By Chris Conner
With the playoffs almost here, the Toronto Raptors may not be playing for much, but there are a few questions left to be answered.
The Toronto Raptors have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2018 NBA Playoffs, but they haven’t exactly been playing their best basketball lately.
With a possible second round matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers looming, not to mention their typical playoff demons to exorcise, here are a few questions to keep an eye on heading into the postseason.
1. Will they rest key guys, or try to have momentum going into the playoffs?
With first place in the Eastern Conference wrapped up, the Raptors decided to rest DeMar DeRozan Sunday. It will be interesting to see if that pattern continues with a couple games remaining.
The Raptors would hate to go into the playoffs missing a key element. Momentum is definitely important, especially watching the Philadelphia 76ers’ 14-game winning streak. Overall, the Raptors have the real regular season prize and should do their best to protect their guys before the postseason.
2.Does Pascal Siakam deserve more minutes come playoff time?
Sorry Serge Ibaka, but Pascal Siakam looks like the better player currently. The Raptors find themselves in an interesting situation. The player they’re paying big money to in Ibaka is being outperformed. Siakam had a breakout month in February in just under 22 minutes, averaging 11 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Ibaka averaged 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 26 minutes per game in February.
In March, the Raptors took notice, playing Ibaka slightly less as he’s registered a negative plus-minus for the month (-1.3). Siakam has been a +13 and almost every metric points to him being the better player. Ibaka provides playoff and veteran experience and will more than likely get the nod. Could we have another Draymond Green–David Lee case on our hands? Probably not, but it’s worth keeping an eye out. April could be a huge month for Siakam.
3.Can Fred VanVleet‘s winning traits transfer to the NBA in April?
We know! The NBA and college basketball are two different stages. But here’s a question: Should you really expect a guy like Fred VanVleet to all of a sudden shrink under pressure? He’s had to prove himself and won big at every level. The pressures of the NBA Playoffs have rattled some of the best, but our guts tell us VanVleet won’t be one of those guys.
VanVleet made Raptors fans gasp a bit with a back injury Sunday that left him out for the rest of the game. The good news is he was ruled out for precautionary reasons and should be okay going forward. Look for VanVleet to continue his impressive play as the season closes.
4.Will Kyle Lowry’s minutes rise?
Kyle Lowry has played his lowest minute total (32.2 per game) since his first season in Toronto. The Raptors made it essential to give their veteran guard ample rest in hopes for fresh legs come playoff time. That goal was accomplished, as the Raptors have had their best regular season in franchise history.
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However, there is a question if that should change once the playoffs begin. Kyle Lowry is clearly the best option, but with the play of Fred VanVleet and Delon Wright, one might question if the current rotation is the answer. We won’t find out anything on the floor before the playoffs, but it’ll be interesting if Lowry himself or head coach Dwayne Casey talk any about it.