3 reasons the Raptors can make a second half playoff push

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 14: Jakob Poeltl #19 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors celebrate after they defeated the Orlando Magic in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on February 14, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 2: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

1. Weakened East

The Western Conference was much more aggressive than the Eastern Conference at the trade deadline, which likely played into Toronto’s refusal to sell many of their big players. Ujiri and the rest of the organization seem to think that there is some general vulnerability that this team can take advantage of.

The Hawks didn’t make any needle-moving additions, and the Heat struck out regularly when trying to make some noteworthy additions. The Nets will still be a team that the Raptors need to keep an eye on, but the Durant move likely took them out of the championship hunt.

The Toronto Raptors could run through the East.

Miami and Brooklyn are prime candidates to start regressing in the second half of the season. If Toronto is on their game, they could either leapfrog them in the standings or come very close to it. Avoiding the play-in will be hard, but not impossible for this roster.

The Raptors proved during last season that they could play above themselves whenever they have to take on elite competition. With many of the same players on this team, Nurse should be able to get the same high effort level if push comes to shove in the postseason.

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