Toronto Raptors Roundtable: 76ers series matchups, predictions, and more
As the Toronto Raptors prepare to face-off against the Philadelphia 76ers in round-two of the playoffs, we asked our contributors the five most important questions heading into the series.
This is the series Toronto Raptors’ fans have been waiting for. The regular season was nice, the Orlando series was fun, but this, this is when it the games really start to matter. Over the next two weeks, the Raptors will either A) Be eliminated from the playoffs or B) have the best chance to advance to the NBA Finals in franchise history.
As we prepare for one of the most exciting playoff series in franchise history, we asked our contributors the five questions which will help determine the outcome.
How should Raptors matchup defensively 1-3? (Who should Lowry, Green, and Leonard each guard)
Jeff Borsuk:
The Toronto Raptors need to be very cautious of how they setup their matchups. The 76ers can be a dangerous team thanks to the different scoring weapons that they have.
Ideally, Kawhi Leonard checks Ben Simmons, he can play under him, knowing that the 76er point guard does not shoot from distance. Since Jimmy Butler has the ability to score in bunches, it would be prudent to throw an excellent defender, Danny Green at him and ensure that he never gets himself into a rhythm. This leaves Kyle Lowry assigned to Tobias Harris and Pascal Siakam to keep tabs on J.J. Redick.
Mike Bossetti:
Considering the success he had earlier in the season, Kawhi Leonard on Ben Simmons is an easy choice. Kawhi is one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA. Ben Simmons isn’t doing much moving around screens for shots off the ball.
The real decision is where does Lowry go. Green can handle either Redick or Butler well enough. Lowry is the one you worry about.
He probably goes on Butler to start. Chasing Redick is a chore. He’s too active and too lethal off ball to ever take a break. Tiring Lowry out on one of the premier off-ball players in the NBA doesn’t seem like a great idea. Start him on Butler; see how it goes.
Another important item to note is the Raptors will switch 1-4 OFTEN. Where a defender starts might not matter as much as where they finish.
Go Paolo:
Lowry on Redick, Siakam on Simmons, and Leonard on Butler. Give Kyle the easiest matchup, which would be Redick. Siakam’s length and versatility will be useful against Simmons’s style of play. And Leonard has the strength and savvy to handle Butler’s physicality. Green can take Harris.
Vimal Sivakumar:
Lowry: J.J. Redick. I debated him or Butler here but Redick is the slower and shorter of the two players, making him the better matchup for Lowry defensively — especially considering the increased physicality that comes from Butler (and need to preserve Lowry’s body/health, not because he wouldn’t be able to handle it).
Green: Jimmy Butler is 6 ft. 8 in. and weighs in at 232 pounds. Danny Green is 6 ft. 6 in. and weighs 215. Physically, this is a great matchup for the Raptors. I’m not saying Danny will completely stop Butler but I believe that his length will be an asset for somewhat helping mitigate Jimmy throughout the series.
Leonard: The eye-test this regular season proved that Ben Simmons struggled mightily against Kawhi Leonard in three games. Simply, it would be best for Toronto to continue sticking Kawhi on Simmons in round two and hoping that this regular season trend continues.