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) /

4 of 6

NBA playoffs, Raptors, Nets (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

2. Can Toronto’s halfcourt offense thrive in the playoffs?

Toronto ranks as one of the premier fast-break teams in the league. Cleaning The Glass places them No. 2 in points per 100 possessions in transition and the Raptors score the second-most off turnovers per game behind only the Chicago Bulls.

Their transition game has a lot to do with their offensive output, but Toronto’s halfcourt numbers are a different story, where they’re only a middle of the pack team.

NBA Bubble Power Rankings Week 3: Raptors on the rise. light. Related Story

The difference has done little to affect their regular season outcome, which produced the third-most wins in the entire NBA. Come playoff time, however, transition opportunities are much harder to come by, erasing an area of strength for Toronto while placing further emphasis on their struggles.

Brooklyn might not be the team to exploit the Raptors’ woes, but they do offer a uniquely low-stakes testing ground before Toronto is forced to deal with opponents that might.

A series victory seems likely no matter how poorly their halfcourt offense looks against a Nets team that simply doesn’t stack up in the talent department. Any further postseason advancement could be the result of the experiments Nick Nurse tries out with a unique opportunity in front of him to do so.

Home/Toronto Raptors