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Raptors: Ranking 3 potential play-in teams Toronto could face

By Matthew Chiu

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 25: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles against Precious Achiuwa #5 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 25: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles against Precious Achiuwa #5 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors odds
Mar 11, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) moves to the basket as Toronto Raptors forward Yuta Watanabe (18) defends. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Atlanta Hawks

Following their 32-point blowout loss to the Hornets, the Raptors followed up that award-winning performance with a crushing 27-point defeat to the Hawks. Despite the loss In their most recent outing, Toronto is 2-1 in the season series against Atlanta.

Following a successful 2021 year that saw the Hawks just two wins away from the NBA Finals, Atlanta has found it difficult to replicate that success. At one point in the season, the Hawks had a 17-25 record, which had some fans calling for a tank. Atlanta has since revived their season and seems likely to at least compete in the play-in tournament.

The Hawks have the talent to give the Toronto Raptors problems.

Trae Young has been a thorn in the Raptors’ side. In Young’s two appearances against Toronto this season, he’s averaging 31.5 points per game on a tremendous 59% from the field.

Alongside Young, Atlanta’s frontcourt of John Collins and Clint Capela could give the small-ball Raptors some headaches. Even with Capela taking a step back this season, he’s still a big threat to Toronto with his rebounding and lob threat ability.

One major flaw the Hawks have not corrected is their perimeter defense. As good as Young is on offense, teams tend to attack him on the other end. Their defensive rating of 113.4 is the fourth-worst rating in the league.

Attacking their defense and scoring at will is the key to success against Atlanta, but the Raptors lacking a true shot-creator makes this task a lot more difficult than it sounds. Time will tell if their postseason meeting looks more like Toronto’s impressive victories or Young’s stat-pad session.