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Raptors are having success against the East’s elite teams

By Adam Levi

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 24: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat is double-teamed by Pascal Siakam #43 and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors during the third quarter at American Airlines Arena on February 24, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 24: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat is double-teamed by Pascal Siakam #43 and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors during the third quarter at American Airlines Arena on February 24, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors have had to deal with some profoundly uncomfortable circumstances during this 2020-21 season, though it has done little to slow down one of the most consistent winners in the league over the last few years.

Despite trade speculation surrounding Kyle Lowry, Nick Nurse and five coaches missing time due to the league’s health and safety protocols, and a lack of depth at center, the Raptors clawed back from a 2-8 start and sit at 17-17.

Last night against the Houston Rockets, the Raptors made another case why they could be crowned kings of the East. Yet, what’s defining them this year is their success against the Eastern Conference’s toughest competition.

Despite sitting in fourth place in the East, six games behind the East-leading Philadelphia 76ers, there are encouraging signs that the Raptors are beginning to look like the champions of yesteryear.

The Raptors have played well against the best of the best

Over the last three weeks, Toronto has a 7-5 record with wins against the Brooklyn Nets, the Milwaukee Bucks (twice) and the 76ers.

In this season, the Raptors are 8-5 versus the East’s current playoff teams and have a 4-2 record in games against the three teams ahead of them in the East (76ers, Nets, Bucks).

These are all indications that Canada’s team is heading in the right direction. What’s even more encouraging about the Raptors’ recent performances is that in past years, they’ve used their success against the East’s (and NBA’s) elite to inch them closer to the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Since the 2015-16 season, this franchise has a staggeringly dominant 195-79 record against their Eastern foes. Furthermore, they are boasting a 118-93 record against teams with a .500% winning percentage or higher.

Having said all that, it’s then unfortunate to see that Toronto has only two games (both versus the Nets) against an Eastern team with a better record remaining. They have a total of six matches against current Eastern Conference playoff teams left, including the division-rival Knicks.

What’s potentially good about that, at least, is that the Raptors’ schedule for the remainder of the year is loaded with games battling the cream of the crop of the Western Conference, who could end up taking on Toronto in the Finals should the planets align.

The Raptors play one of those six remaining Eastern Conference games on Sunday versus the surging Chicago Bulls. It marks one of the few remaining chances for the Raptors to show what they can do against one of their likely playoff opponents.

Next. The Raptors need to be competitive in the East. dark