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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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Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 07: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets puts up a shot over Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 7, 2021 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

1. Brooklyn Nets

Let’s face it. If someone told you at the beginning of the season that the Nets would be at .500 and on the verge of missing the playoffs, you’d probably laugh in their face. Unfortunately for Brooklyn, this has become reality.

The Nets currently own the ninth seed with a 33-33 record on the season. With James Harden throwing a fit and demanding a trade, a Brooklyn team that lost Kevin Durant to injury and Kyrie Irving to his vaccine-related nonsense got even thinner.

However, their record doesn’t reflect the true talent of this Nets team. Durant has returned after a month and a half and hasn’t lost a step. Kyrie Irving remains a part-time player, and Ben Simmons hasn’t played a minute all year. If all of these players are healthy when a matchup with Toronto rolls around, the Raptors could fall in defeat.

The Nets are a team the Raptors want to avoid.

You simply can’t count out a team that has Durant on their roster. The Raptors are 2-2 against the Nets this season, but both of their wins were against a depleted Brooklyn team. The Nets are championship contenders when they have everyone playing, and Toronto has yet to feel the full force of their offense.

Irving likely won’t make an appearance against the Raptors no matter where the game is being played. For as much slack that Simmons catches from NBA fans, he’s still an elite defender that provides great playmaking.

Add in the depth they acquired from the Harden trade in Seth Curry and Andre Drummond (along with the signing of Goran Dragic) and the Raptors could be in big trouble in a single-game elimination against the Nets.

Next. 3 Raptors who are standing out in second half. dark