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How the Toronto Raptors match up against the top of the East

By Hunter Surphlis

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers plays defense against Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors on December 8, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 8: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers plays defense against Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors on December 8, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Pascal Siakam (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors – Pascal Siakam (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors will have their work cut out of if they want to make a deep run in the postseason. How do they match up against the top of the East?

Twenty-five games are generally a sample size that gives you a solid understanding of how the league is shaping up. So far, the Toronto Raptors have been a pleasant surprise.

After a hot start to the season and a cold start to December, the Raptors sit at 20-8. That puts them fourth in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Milwaukee Bucks and ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers.

As of now, FiveThirtyEight projects Canada’s team to win 55 games which would place them fourth behind Boston, Philly and Milwaukee.

Simply put, the Raptors are bound for a playoff spot and, as long as nothing extreme happens, a top-four spot is in their sights.

After having great health last season, the Raptors’ luck is catching up to them. Both Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka have missed chunks of time and Fred VanVleet has just returned from some time off. But now, the Raptors have a host of injuries.

Hopefully, this is where the injury bug hits hardest, but who knows? Maybe it’s just going to be one of those years.

However, despite the injuries, their still finding success in a loaded top of the East.

A big part of that has been Pascal Siakam. He’s as close as it gets to a lock for his first All-Star appearance and, if he keeps it up, will be in consideration for All-NBA when the time comes.

They don’t exactly have a clear-cut number two guy, but the sum of the rest of the parts makes for a well-oiled machine.

The one issue that has arisen thus far is their play against the other top teams. Against the teams ahead of them in the East, the Raptors are 1-4 and have the same record against the top four teams in the West.

It’s still early, and they’ll have more opportunities to get their wins against the best as the season progresses.

But, for right now, let’s look at how they match up against the best in their conference. Who has the best player? Which team has the better supporting cast? Who’s coach adds the most value to their team?

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