Toronto Raptors: 3 toughest potential matchups in 2020-21 playoffs

No. 1: Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers have the size and shooting to give the Raptors fits

Joel Embiid in the first round would be a very scary matchup for this new iteration of the Toronto Raptors. The squad lost their “Embiid stopper” in defensive stalwart Marc Gasol, and while Baynes is decently reliable on defense, he probably will not be able to hold Embiid to zero points like Gasol and Serge Ibaka did late last November.

This 76ers squad has rapidly improved last season, as they added Seth Curry, Dwight Howard, and 2020 first-round draft pick Tyrese Maxey to the team. This team was incredibly good defensively, but they needed an offensive punch, and Curry and Maxey filled that role with aplomb.

Luckily, the Raptors have a solution to the firepower that the 76ers bring to the table. OG Anunoby and the newly emerging Stanley Johnson have been pivotal pieces to this team this season, and they hopefully will be able to hold off the 76ers best players.

While Joel Embiid and Dwight Howard’s size and ability to dominate the paint is a concern, if the Raptors can hold off the other unsung heroes of this 76ers team and say a few prayers, then they could beat this team.

Raptors: 3 reasons Fred VanVleet should be an All-Star

Toronto Raptors fans need to get behind Fred VanVleet in his All-Star push, as there are three key reasons why he should be selected.