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Toronto Raptors: Classifying Potential Playoff Matchups as Good or Bad

By Gavin Axelrod

Toronto Raptors - Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors - Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Marc Gasol (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Brooklyn Nets

The Raptors hold three victories over the Nets in four meetings. Drawing a matchup with a hungry Nets team could be a good test for Toronto. Despite easily defeating Brooklyn in their previous meeting, the Nets should not be taken lightly.

The 2018-2019 Brooklyn Nets are not the Nets of old. D’Angelo Russell has developed into one of the best point guards in the Eastern Conference. Joe Harris is a lights out sharpshooter and Jarrett Allen is becoming an elite rim protector.

Much like Toronto, Brooklyn is a very deep team. In fact, the Nets rank second in the league in bench scoring with 47.7 points per game. A balanced attack is a healthy recipe for success.

Four out of five Nets starters average 10 or more points per game. Caris LeVert is averaging 13.8 points per game and Spencer Dinwiddie is averaging 16.9. Brooklyn’s newfound success comes from more than just their offensive prowess.

As previously mentioned Jarett Allen is developing into an elite rim protector. The 20-year old currently ranks 12th in the league in blocks per game. That is four spots higher than Serge Ibaka.

A Brooklyn-Toronto first-round matchup would be an extremely fun and competitive series. There is still a rivalry between these two franchises. The two clubs almost mirror each other.

When Toronto faced Brooklyn in 2014 the roles were reversed. Brooklyn was the team full of proven veterans that were built to try and stop LeBron James and the almighty Miami Heat. Fast forward five years and now the Raptors are a team assembled to dethrone Golden State while the Nets are looking to make some noise at their expense.

For these reasons, a series between the two would be a good matchup. Toronto should not take Brooklyn likely but they do not have to worry either. Facing Brooklyn in the opening round would be a perfect test for the Raptors.

However, the next opponent on this list has had the Raptors’ number all year long.

Verdict: Good matchup for the fans, good matchup for the players. Everyone wins. 

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