Toronto Raptors rooting guide: 3 outcomes that could help Raps
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors are currently the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference at 40-32 overall. Just a year removed from ending up with the No. 4 overall pick, the fact Toronto is fighting for their postseason life in the final 10 days shows that this team has overachieved.
The Raptors aren’t completely in control of their own destiny, as they will need some of their rivals in the East to fall if they want to escape the play-in tournament. Doing so would still give them a difficult matchup, but it would help avoid a scenario where two losses could end their playoff journey.
Toronto needs just a little bit of luck to end up in the most advantageous position possible when the regular season ends. They need one of their rivals in this postseason chase to slip up while some underdogs beneath them pick up the pace.
The Raptors earning the No. 7 seed in the East would be a phenomenal way for them to end the season. However, if these three possibilities come true, Toronto could escape the play-in tournament or get a somewhat favorable matchup when the postseason comes around.
3 playoff outcomes the Toronto Raptors must root for.
3. Cavaliers keep losing
With the Bulls pulling out a win on Tuesday and potentially ending their slide down the standings, it’s becoming increasingly clear that either Toronto or Cleveland will end up with the No. 6 seed. The loser of this mano-a-mano battle will end up in the play-in tournament with a matchup against Kevin Durant looming.
Cleveland is not very healthy right now, as Caris LeVert is slowly getting integrated back into the fold and Jarrett Allen remains out of commission. If there was ever a time for Fred VanVleet and the Raptors to make a run up the standings, it’s when the Cavs are so unlucky.
Can the Toronto Raptors catch the Cavaliers?
The Raptors have lost to some very bad teams at home this season, and they need to overcome that surprising trend in a stretch where eight of the team’s final 10 games will come at home. The Cavaliers don’t have that same luxury, as their Allen-less lineup might falter in hostile environments.
Due to the tiebreaker, Toronto will need to win at least two games while Cleveland slips up twice before the Raptors can secure the No. 6 seed. While this will be difficult to pull off given how Toronto has some tough opponents on their schedule, we’ve seen the Raptors pull off crazier feats.