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Toronto Raptors: 3 x-factors for the team to succeed in NBA’s Orlando restart

By Luke Duffy

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 25: Singer Drake high fives Matt Thomas #21 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 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 25: Singer Drake high fives Matt Thomas #21 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors will return to playing in Orlando as an overlooked group, but they have plenty of x-factors to go far once the playoffs start.

Hard as it is to believe after all that has happened, the Toronto Raptors will be returning to basketball in Orlando as the defending champions. So much has changed since they hoisted the trophy last summer, with the loss of Kawhi Leonard their biggest missing piece.

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He was instrumental in the franchise getting over the hump, turning in perhaps the most Michael Jordan-like postseason display on the way to a title since the great man himself, no matter how you feel about him all these years later. Leonard is now with the LA Clippers, so you would think that the Raptors aren’t likely to see him again in the playoffs.

Or are they? Despite being constantly overlooked this season for trendier picks like the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics to challenge the Milwaukee Bucks and come out of the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors are still very much in the mix. With a 46-18 record, they occupy the second spot in the conference and are 3.0 games ahead of the Celtics in third.

With only eight seeding games before the playoffs begin, the Raptors are in a good position to hold onto that position and have an easier first-round matchup against either the faltering Brooklyn Nets or limited Orlando Magic. They are also clearly a team to be avoided if possible.

Led by Kyle Lowry, at this point a franchise icon, there is a doggedness and determination to the Raptors that is difficult to break down and annoying to play against. Leonard was the superstar that they were able to put on top of this team-wide style of playing, but they still have the foundations in place, at a time when uncertainty lurks for other would-be contenders.

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