Toronto Raptors biggest advantages entering the NBA playoffs

Entering the NBA playoffs, the Toronto Raptors have as many strengths as any team. If the Raptors are to make a deep run, they’ll rely on these.

The Toronto Raptors will look to make short work of the Brooklyn Nets when they meet in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Nets went 5-3 in the bubble in a surprising run with a roster that scarcely resembles the one they entered the hiatus with. They’re led by Caris LeVert who has shined in the bubble so far with both his scoring and facilitating.

Thanks to LeVert, the Nets finished eighth in offensive rating in the bubble. But outside of him, the rest of Nets roster appears to be outmatched on paper as the Raptors have too many strengths.

In Toronto, they have nine players in their rotation who were on the Finals team a year ago. Two of them happen to be all-stars in Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam. Also, their head coach Nick Nurse was one vote away from being co-coach of the year. And Despite losing two elite defenders in Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, the defense has been their calling card.

While some NBA contenders struggled to get in sync, the Raptors were in sync from the drop. They finished with the best record of any team in the bubble at 7-1. When the postseason starts on Monday, the Raptors will be the hottest team going in. Here are their biggest strengths they’ll rely on in the playoffs.