Where do the Toronto Raptors starters rank among East playoff teams?
By Jeff Borsuk
7. Brooklyn Nets
- PG, D’Angelo Russell
- SG, Joe Harris
- SF, Allen Crabbe
- PF, Rodions Kurucs
- C, Jarrett Allen
The Brooklyn Nets have some firepower in their starting five. Teams will need to be cautious of the ability of D’Angelo Russell. He has had a breakout year with the Nets and has shown that he can score nearly at will. When he does miss, he has Jarrett Allen there to help clean up on the glass.
Allen averaged more than eight rebounds per game. That accompanies his 59-percent field goal rate. Teams know that the closer they get to the rim on either side of the floor, they’re sure to encounter Fro.
The Nets do a fantastic job of generating looks for perimeter players. Players like Allen Crabbe, who is averaging six attempts a game from downtown, benefit from this style of play. Crabbe, this season, is averaging 37.8% from outside.
For the longest time, it looked as though Toronto would be seeing the Nets in the first round. Russell has looked excellent each time they played during the season. They may be delighted not to have to gameplan for him.
6. Orlando Magic
- PG, D.J. Augustin
- SG, Evan Fournier
- SF, Jonathan Isaac
- PF, Aaron Gordon
- C, Nikola Vucevic
The Orlando Magic, the team who will face off with the Raptors in the first round, have a number of different looks that they can offer. Their team is built to allow them to shoot from outside and penetrate defences.
For the long ball, the team can count on D.J. Augustin. He torches opponents making 42% of his attempts from beyond the arc. While not traditionally a high volume scorer, teams need to be wary because he converts on key shots and distributes the ball well.
The players who rack up the points on this squad are Nikola Vucevic, who averaged 20.8 and Aaron Gordon who averaged 15.8. For the Raptors, they will concern themselves trying to contain the seven-foot Vucevic, which will not be easy. He averaged 12 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Not only can he put the ball down, but he makes his presence felt whenever he is on the court.
The 21-year-old Jonathan Isaac is someone that the Raptors will need to keep an eye on as well. He moves well and plays solid defence. In his second year in the league, his coach, Steve Clifford, has trusted him with a large upgrade in minutes.