Toronto Raptors: Time to step on the gas to reach top spot

The Toronto Raptors are suddenly in a position to lead the NBA in wins. Is this a likely goal, and would achieving it be worth the extra effort?

The Toronto Raptors find themselves with an unexpected opportunity. With the Milwaukee Bucks going just 6-4 over their past 10 games, the Raptors are just three games out, despite disappointing play of late.

Out West, the Golden State Warriors can’t sleepwalk into the one-seed. The Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets are pushing them hard.

What does all this unexpected jostling at the top of the standings mean to Toronto fans? For the first time in franchise history, the Raptors have a legitimate chance to finish as the NBA’s best regular-season team.

The reward for such an accomplishment is the #1 seed throughout the playoffs. In addition to home court advantage in every round including the Finals, the first overall seed would provide an easier set of opponents.

The Raptors should be able to handle their first-round opponent, no matter who it is. However, it’s the second round where things get interesting. If the Raptors are #1, their second-round opponent winner of the #4 vs. #5 matchup. As of now, that would be Boston vs Indiana. That sounds like a seven-game slugging match. Whoever survives is sure to be tired.

Contrast that with playing the #3 vs. #6 winner, which will likely be the Philadelphia 76ers. It’s hard to imagine them having too much trouble pushing aside Dwane Casey’s overachieving Detroit Pistons. Who would you rather face – the fresh 76ers or the bruised winners of two lesser teams?

Milwaukee – treading water?

The most difficult task will be overhauling the Bucks. Yet the chances of doing so have improved dramatically, largely because Milwaukee has been hit recently by the injury curse.

Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t dress against the Cavaliers because of an ankle issue. While the Greek Freak won’t be out long, Malcolm Brogdon is gone until the playoffs with a foot problem, while Nikola Mirotic is sidelined for several weeks with a busted thumb.

Those are critical players to be missing for a team without a lot of depth. The defeat by the suddenly feisty Cavaliers isn’t so surprising after all.

A glance at the strength of schedule data offers more reasons for optimism. Milwaukee’s schedule is in the middle of the pack. But who enjoys the second-easiest class of opponents? Yes, folks, it’s your Toronto Raptors, who see teams with a cumulative .416 win percentage.

The toughest remaining opponent is the barely above .500 Brooklyn Nets. After that, we’re seeing tankers galore (2 each against the perpetually disappointing Charlotte Hornets and rebuilding Chicago Bulls, one more versus the hapless Knicks, and so on).

The irksome term “load management” should no longer be uttered by any responsible Raptors manager or coach. Our team is done with its complement of back to back games.

The opportunity to lead the NBA in wins is tantalizingly close, and the payoff is considerable. Nick Nurse, it’s time for some short-term thinking. Let’s finish the season on a winning streak, and in the process overtake the vulnerable Bucks. How would it feel to be the prey, rather than the hunter? I’d be happy to find out.