3 critical X-factors that will impact Toronto Raptors in playoffs

1. Bench-backcourt Scoring.

The Raptors are a team in dire need of bench production overall. It’s been an issue all season long illustrated by Nurse leaning on his starters to a silly degree. Nurse is coaxing what he can out of about eight regulars per night.

The main concern facing this team is the decided lack of support Fred VanVleet gets in the backcourt. He leads the team at over 38 minutes per game and has developed bad knees An injury to him now could derail any playoff success the squad could enjoy.

Will the Toronto Raptors support Fred VanVleet?

Malachi Flynn was starting to come on, but he is injured at the moment. Rookie Dalano Banton, who started the season providing high levels of energy, has slowed down. The addition of Armoni Brooks on his second 10-day contract has helped slightly, but he has yet to find his shot consistently.

It’s meant a heavy workload for team leader VanVleet and renewed worries that his knees won’t withstand the strain.

Ultimately, 2022 will be remembered as a year Toronto once again made great use of the Draft to restock their roster and return to competitive basketball in the spring. Still, if they want to wrap this year up with playoff wins, they have some factors working against them.