How the Toronto Raptors’ season could play out according to NBA 2K20
2020 NBA Playoffs – Round 1
Just like last season, the Raptors got off to an extremely poor start in the postseason, dropping Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers 110-114. The Pacers were able to hold off a fourth-quarter comeback from the Raptors, who were led by a 20-point performance from Kyle Lowry.
It was obvious that the Raptors struggled without a real presence on the interior as Domantas Sabonis recorded rebounds in Game 1, with seven boards coming on the offensive glass. The Raptors couldn’t allow that to happen again. Thankfully, Serge Ibaka was good to go in Game 2.
Things started bleak in Game 2, with the Raptors down by 11 points after the first quarter. This time, they didn’t leave the comeback until the fourth quarter and chipped away at the Pacers lead until taking the lead in the third quarter. After that, they didn’t look back. The Raptors walked away as the victors with a 117-101 victory and outscored the Pacers in the final three quarters of the game.
After a mediocre showing in Game 1, Pascal Siakam bounced back with a double-double, scoring 36 points on 12-of-27 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds. Serge Ibaka struggled with his shooting touch (4-of-14) but his presence on the glass was evident as he grabbed five offensive rebounds. The series was tied heading into Game 3 in Indiana.
Game 3 was the Raptors take a 2-1 series lead over the Pacers, winning 128-114 in a rounded scoring effort. Lowry, Siakam, and Ibaka all scored 20-plus points while five other Raptors finished the game in double-digits, they were hitting their stride. Or so we thought.
A dominant fourth quarter from the Pacers saw them tie the series at two games apiece following a 109-99 victory. Now, the Raptors would need to win back in Toronto to have the ascendency.
Game 5 was the Raptors’ best performance of the series so far and they took a 3-2 lead over the Pacers after dismantling them 125-91, winning every quarter in the process. The game was never in doubt after the first quarter and the Raptors steamrolled their opponents, led by Kyle Lowry’s 27 points and seven assists.
But, just like countless times this season, injuries reared their ugly head. Fred VanVleet was ruled out for 1-2 weeks after suffering back spasms and would miss the rest of the series. Hopefully, the Raptors could kill off the series in his absence. Sadly, they wouldn’t do it in Game 6 as the Pacers flipped the scoreline from Game 3, winning 128-114 off the back of 23 points from Myles Turner.
It was do-or-die in Game 7.
With the score tied heading into the second half, the Raptors were on the ropes. The Pacers fought back vigilantly in the second quarter but it wasn’t enough. The star power of Pascal Siakam (37 points on 11-of-19 shooting) took over and the Raptors routed the Pacers in the second half and walked away as 136-115 winners, taking the series 4-3.
Next up would be the Boston Celtics, who defeated the Orlando Magic in six games.