Could the Toronto Raptors beat a full strength Team Canada?

And the Winner Is…

Nick Nurse?

Any team could beat the other, especially in a single game. There are so many ways this could break down.

But the Raptors are just too deep and too good upfront for Team Canada to overcome. And while the two teams are relatively even offensively, the Raptors are the better defensive team.

Toronto is built with size and length in mind. Looking at Gasol, Ibaka, Siakam, Hollis-Jefferson, Johnson, Anunoby, and McCaw, that’s seven men-deep who can guard multiple positions.

If you compound this with the lack of big scorers on Team Canada, it makes their mountain seem even higher.

Murray is a world-class scorer if he’s geared up. Barrett can put up points but could be a deterrent to the team in doing so. And the rest of the roster, though talented, aren’t on that level of being unstoppable.

Toronto will be able to shut Canada down as they deploy a big lineup and limit Murray and Barrett into inefficient volume scorers. They’re more than willing to let Olynyk, SGA, and Powell hit a few shots here and there.

Altogether, the Raptors are deeper, more talented at the top, and have a cohesion Team Canada can’t match up. The Raptors win.

Toronto Raptors 109 – Team Canada 96