![]() It should be noted, though, that they are 9-9 vs. That's far from a lock.īoston's been red hot the past month or so, with several quality wins to their resume. Their magic number for a top-three seed is 16. Charlotte falling to the 7th seed seems like a good bet, too, but I don't think the Raptors want to face a team with Charlotte's specific profile (strong defensive team with great perimeter playmakers).īoston's magic number for a playoff spot is 13, and they're a lock to make it. Indiana's probably a preferred matchup for Toronto, as the Raps can throw DeMar DeRozan and DeMarre Carroll (if he returns from injury) at Paul George and the rest of the Pacers' offense doesn't have the firepower to match up with Toronto. Chicago since the 2013-2014 season, and Detroit, again, has upstart potential. That's "near-lock" status.Īs for who Toronto would rather face in the first round? They're in a pickle, because of their previous disasters in the first round, and if Washington somehow crawls back into the 7th seed (very unlikely), that's a nightmare because they'd have momentum and know they can beat Toronto after sweeping them last year. Their magic number for a top-four seed is 12. That would be the ballgame for the 2-seed. If Boston does't make up ground in the next eight days, that could put Toronto up seven in the loss column with tiebreaker advantage, with less than 15 to play. The two face each other on March 18th with Toronto up 2-0 in the season series. 3 seed Boston at five games, however, and more importantly, a six-game lead in the loss column. Toronto does have a decent lead on current No. There's a good chance they push the Cavs to the wire, but one bad week and the Cavs' advantage could increase to five, and that would be basically the ballgame. However, the Raptors have also been remarkably consistent and have a 9-7 record vs. Eastern Conference playoff teams coming up. the Rockets, and has a stretch of games vs. For a top-two seed and home-court through the first two rounds (and a Division title), that number is 14. The Raptors' magic number for a playoff spot is eight. You can make just as many arguments both for and against both Boston and Miami as a challenger vs. ![]() ![]() It's also hard to say that there's a concern in the second round. Indiana has problems all over the map in terms of talent matchups, but can provide a counter-strategy with its lineup malleability and style. Detroit has the upstart factor and size inside with Drummond, plus SVG in a coaching advantage, but likely simply does not have the offense to hang. Chicago has the best combination of roster and playoff experience, but then, losing to LeBron in the spring is an annual Windy City tradition. You can make strong arguments for and against each of these teams. ![]() They're going to be a top-two seed no matter what.Īs for their preferred opening-round opponent? The reasonable choices (at this point) are Detroit, Chicago, or Indiana. They are a lock to have home-court in the first two rounds, however, with a magic number of just 10. They may get two weeks of rest, but the starters will likely have to play through then. Assuming theyvalue that top seed and playit out accordingly, they'll likely secure the top seed and home-court throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs sometime around early April. a variety of mediocre teams, it appears unlikely that they'll be able to rest significant games and still keep the No. The Cavaliers' magic number for the playoff is six, but given their foibles vs.
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