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5 reasons Raptors fans can be optimistic for the playoffs

By Graeme Klayh

Mar 23, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; The Toronto Raptors players huddle prior to their game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; The Toronto Raptors players huddle prior to their game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) is fouled as he goes to the basket by Washington Wizards guard Garrett Temple (17) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Wizards 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) is fouled as he goes to the basket by Washington Wizards guard Garrett Temple (17) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Wizards 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. DeMarre Carroll’s return

As much as the Raptors organization has been tight-lipped about the long awaited return of DeMarre Carroll, we should be expecting him to return before the playoffs in order to get assimilated to the team again. Carroll never did get comfortable with the team as he battled injuries, and the team was still figuring itself out.

With as many as 12 games remaining on the schedule, we should expect Carroll to return with at least a few left to reassert himself. The best part of Carroll is that he not only will fill the plug in the 3 spot in the lineup, but he will also be able soak up some minutes at the 4 to guard small ball lineups and increase the pace of the game. For all of Carroll’s woes before his injuries, he still averaged a respectable 37.8% from three.

His defensive presence and long range shooting on a bum knee is better than nothing from Carroll at all. What he gives this season is just extra now, since rotation has more than stepped up in his absence.

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