Toronto Raptors rooting guide: 3 outcomes that could help Raps
By Mike Luciano
2. Nets keep winning
Why should the Raptors want the Nets, who have won six of their last seven games, to stay hot? If the Cavaliers continue to capitulate and Toronto keeps their head above water, that could leave Brooklyn with an avenue to potentially escape the play-in tournament.
The Raptors have played the Nets four times this year and won twice, but they have never played Brooklyn with all of their big names in the lineup. Even if vaccine mandates keep Kyrie Irving out and Ben Simmons doesn’t play, the thought of facing Durant at any point in a double-elimination tournament is not ideal.
The Toronto Raptors would do well to avoid the Nets.
If Brooklyn stays hot in their final 10 games, they could potentially earn the No. 6 seed while forcing Toronto and Cleveland into the play-in game. While this isn’t an ideal scenario given the problems that Cleveland’s height could provide to Toronto, it’s better than letting Durant (and potentially Simmons) dominate.
Even though the Nets will not be this weak when everyone returns to full health next year, they can be dangerous enough with a healthy Durant to give the Raptors real problems. As good as names like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are, would they be capable of carrying Cleveland to a win.