NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center on January 04, 2020 in New York City. The Raptors defeated the Nets 121-102. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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NBA playoffs, Raptors, Nets (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

1. Should we expect a drop-off from Caris LeVert?

Without Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving or even Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert has seized control of Brooklyn’s offense with incredible amounts of success. His numbers read like a perennial All-Star’s, a big reason the Nets finished their seeding games with far more wins than anticipated.

He reached a level of play that always seemed possible given his talent. LeVert dropped 51 in Boston just before the NBA’s suspension and was playing his way into the All-Star conversation last season before missing time with a right leg injury.

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https://twitter.com/BrooklynNets/status/1295014368292286466

Of course, his breakout came at a time when most of the 22 bubble teams were more concerned with rounding back into some semblance of basketball shape. Less important was the minute defensive details necessary to cool a hot streak.

In a postseason matchup, that’s the only point of interest for Toronto, and they have the defense to do it. On the season, they’re second in defensive rating. In the bubble, no team has been better at that end.

Even if it does little to help Brooklyn’s chances, there’s a chance LeVert exceeds expectations just as he has since arriving on campus. Given the opponent he’ll have to go through, all rationale points to regression to some middle ground, if not a return to his pre-bubble numbers.

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