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Toronto Raptors: Ranking prospective playoff opponents in terms of favourability

By Nate Friesen

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 10: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors signals to a teammate during the first half of an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena on February 10, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 10: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors signals to a teammate during the first half of an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena on February 10, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images /

Who would be the ideal matchup in the first round of the playoffs for the Toronto Raptors? Let’s rank potential opponents in terms of favorability.

The Toronto Raptors had one of the easiest schedules in the league during their 15-game win streak so it’s safe to say their schedule won’t be getting any easier. According to Tankathon, the Raptors have the 10th most difficult schedule for the rest of the season, and that includes three games against the Milwaukee Bucks.

However, it is nearly impossible for their injury luck to get worse (knock on wood). Injuries to Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Serge Ibaka and most recently, Marc Gasol and Norman Powell have hindered the Raptors all season long. All the Toronto Raptors can hope for is that they’re full strength come April. Health will be of the utmost importance come playoff time, especially in rounds two, three and four.

With that said, Toronto has a great opportunity to hold on to the second seed which would drastically help their chances of making it back to the NBA finals. It seems quite possible that the Eastern Conference finals could be a rematch of the Raptors and Bucks from last year. Although it certainly isn’t set in stone, there are still a lot of looming questions surrounding the Raptors potentially long playoff run.

Who will the Toronto Raptors have to beat in order to get back to the Finals or even the Eastern Conference Finals? Who would they prefer to face in order to have the best chance to make it back? In order to answer these questions, let’s look at some of the teams the Raptors could possibly face in the playoffs and determine which matchups would be most favorable for Toronto.

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