Toronto Raptors rooting guide: 3 outcomes that could help Raps

1. Philadelphia gets the No. 2 seed

While the Heat are putting the finishing touches on the No. 1 seed in the conference, Toronto earning the No. 7 seed could force them into a seven-game series with either Philadelphia or Milwaukee. Toronto is 3-0 against the Bucks, but that number deserves more examination.

Giannis Antetokounmpo only played in one of those three games, and he scored 30 points in 35 minutes when he did suit up. Toronto has beaten the 76ers with James Harden, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris all healthy. Their defense held Philly to just 51 points in 3 quarters during a comeback win.

The Toronto Raptors should feel comfortable against the 76ers.

Embiid has been very open about how the Raptors consistently do a solid job defending him. Putting as much length on the court as possible proved to be somewhat effective at slowing Harden down. Philadelphia resorted to giving DeAndre Jordan minutes in their last game, showing that they don’t exactly have amazing frontcourt depth.

With and without VanVleet in the lineup, a core led by Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam has come through and helped Toronto take down a team many are eyeing as a championship favorite. Even if they don’t win the series, they will give Doc Rivers all his team can handle.