3 teams that will exceed expectations in the 2023 NBA Playoffs

1. Toronto Raptors

Many were rightfully confused and surprised when the Toronto Raptors didn’t sell at the trade deadline – in fact, they did some buying. But the young core is still there and all it takes is a little push to potentially make a run in the playoffs.

Make no mistake: the road to playoff glory will be long for Toronto. The team seems to have a good shot at the play-in at this point, but are currently slotted in ninth, meaning they would have to win two straight single-elimination games to advance to the standard playoff bracket.

The Miami Heat seem like one team likely to get out of the play-in based on who is currently in it (the Heat may also surpass the Nets in the standings, but the Nets could exceed expectations themselves, as mentioned). The other teams are the Chicago Bulls and the scuffling Atlanta Hawks. Toronto doesn’t need to fear them too much.

The results haven’t been there, but the pieces are for the Raptors. Pascal Siakam is averaging more than 24 points per game, while Fred VanVleet is hovering around 20 points and seven assists per contest. Meanwhile, Nick Nurse is still one of the best coaches in the association.

Toronto is not that far removed from their title and many of the vestiges of that time are still in Canada. It’s been a struggle all season, but the Raptors have shown an ability to get hot when needed, In February, the team won seven in an eight-game stretch, including a win at the Memphis Grizzlies.

Maybe Masai Ujiri knew something the rest of us weren’t ready to understand last month when he largely stood pat at the trade deadline – these Toronto Raptors are primed to make noise in the postseason.