Toronto Raptors: Nets-Raptors postseason preview

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in action against Garrett Temple #17 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 04, 2020 in New York City. Toronto Raptors defeated the Brooklyn Nets 121-102. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in action against Garrett Temple #17 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 04, 2020 in New York City. Toronto Raptors defeated the Brooklyn Nets 121-102. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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In the third edition of the ‘Toronto Raptors Heat Check’, we get you set for the Toronto Raptors’ opening postseason series against the Brooklyn Nets.

Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors, Kyle Lowry (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Toronto Raptors are set to open the 2020 NBA playoffs with a date with the Brooklyn Nets, a longtime Eastern Conference Foe.

Gone are the days where the Nets were viewed as a heavy favorite over the underdog Raptors. This time, it seems unlikely we’ll get any pre-series expletives from Masai Ujiri.

However, with the way 2020 has gone you never know.

The last time these two teams met in the postseason they were on opposite trajectories. Brooklyn’s roster was assembled with a ‘win now’ mentality while Toronto was just beginning to rise through the NBA’s ranks.

In the years that followed, one team won a championship while the other underwent a dramatic facelift until their identity was finally found. Everyone knows the recent history of these two franchises.

The Toronto Raptors are reigning and defending NBA Champions looking to run it back. Brooklyn on the other hand is a team missing many of its key players, such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Spencer Dinwiddie, yet they’re still here to compete.

Much has changed since the Nets and Raptors last met in the postseason. However, you can expect this series to be extremely entertaining.

Without their stars Brooklyn has a plethora of young talent, salivating at the opportunity to knock off the defending champs. Nets players such as Caris LeVert and sharpshooter Joe Harris will lead the way.

For Toronto, they’re looking to once again reach the top of the NBA’s mountain. The Raptors’ roster from its championship run one year ago may be different, but the goal is still the same.

They’ll be looking to exact some revenge against the team that broke their 15-game winning streak earlier this season.