Which team should the Raptors want to face in the playoffs?

The Toronto Raptors are currently a robust 36-38 on the season following a win against the Pistons, putting them within striking distance of the Atlanta Hawks as they try to fight for the No. 8 seed. Passing the Miami Heat or Brooklyn Nets is considered improbable, but not impossible for this team

No matter what happens in the rest of the regular season, even the most optimistic home stretch will feature the Raptors heading into the postseason as an undermanned, outgunned underdog that is not expected to win a postseason series at all.

With the mighty Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics ramming into each other and shuffling in and out of the top three seeds, it’s time to look at these three opponents and figure out which one could be the friendliest matchup for the Raptors in April.

Who should the Toronto Raptors want in the playoffs?

None of these three opponents is a particularly savory option to face off against.

Philadelphia has not only surprised by becoming one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league, but they might have the prospective MVP on their roster in Joel Embiid. While he has voiced his frustration when it comes to playing Toronto, Embiid has become so good that 30 points feel like the floor for him.

Milwaukee, even after Toronto gave them everything they got, has the Giannis Antetokounmpo factor working for them. With two All-Star running mates, an offense that has remained incredibly efficient and effective in the postseason, and championship experience, going to Milwaukee will be hell in the postseason.

Boston may not have a ring on their finger, and Toronto played them very tough earlier in the season, but Joe Mazzulla has this team once again protecting the rim and sharing the ball at an elite rate. The Nick Nurse star defense special against Tatum could prove worthless if Jaylen Brown is up to snuff.

The best opponent for Toronto is the one that will panic the most when confronted with unusual defensive switches, will struggle finding someone that can slow down the mercurial Pascal Siakam when he’s on a hot streak, and loses the turnover battle frequently. No team fits those criteria perfectly, but the 76ers come closer than the other two.

In the end, Philadelphia is still the best opponent for Toronto, as they have a defensive x-factor that can, at the very least, slightly slow down Embiid. Philly lacks Boston’s defensive unity and Milwaukee’s arsenal of role players ready to step up with the second unit.