2018 NBA Playoffs: Power ranking all 16 teams

6. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are ranked insultingly low for a team with the best record in the East, not to mention the NBA’s second-best record, second-best point differential, third-best offense and fifth-best defense. They’re the only team to rank in the top-five for both offensive and defensive rating, they’re fully healthy and they’re tied for the league’s best home record at 34-7.

Considering they’ll have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, how vulnerable Boston looks and how human Cleveland looks, what gives? Well, you know damn well what: DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and the Raptors in general are notorious for collapsing in the playoffs.

You’d think a trip to the conference finals in 2016 would’ve exorcised those playoff demons, but the truth is, it was more like extra exercise for those demons with how weak the East was. Toronto won’t be able to cruise through two rounds with those same kinds of struggles. We The North has the easiest first round matchup in the East, but it’ll be rewarded with, most likely, another showdown with LeBron in the next round. If the Finals are the goal, it’s time to put up or shut up.