1 advantage Raptors have over all top-four seeds in the East
By Mike Luciano
Heat: Talent Near the rim
Bam Adebayo is one of the best big men in the game, as the 6-9 defensive dynamo is the kind of player Ujiri would dream about. However, as evidenced when the Celtics flattened them in the postseason, Miami could stand to get a backup with higher ceilings than Dewayne Dedmon or Omer Yurtseven.
The Heat are fresh off ranking dead last in the NBA in blocks per game with 3.2 per game. This came despite Adebayo’s excellence. Coming in 18th in defensive rebounding, Miami has a lack of depth in this area that Toronto could exploit in the postseason.
The Toronto Raptors could bang with Miami inside.
In addition to the fact that forwards like Barnes and Anunoby have proven to be, at minimum, adequate post defenders, Siakam is fresh off his best season on both sides of the ball. Pairing that trio with the always improving Achiuwa and recent 7-1 draftee Christian Koloko should all help the Raptors match up well against Miami.
The Raptors have been more than willing to sacrifice size in the name of positional flexibility, but they are starting to realize that this strategy has some limitations. By getting a bit bigger and investing in the frountcourt, Miami’s annoying style of play might not bother them as much.