1 advantage Raptors have over every Atlantic Division team

Jan 2, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 28: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

Celtics: Backcourt scoring

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have shown they can be one of the best combinations of scorers in the league, and Kristaps Porzingis (when healthy) should be a huge improvement in the team’s frontcourt. Behind that, however, some questions need to be answered.

Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon seems like a terrific backup point guard, but Boston did try to trade him to the Clippers earlier in the offseason unsuccessfully. With Marcus Smart having been sent away to the Grizzlies, this would leave names like Payton Pritchard and Derrick White playing in larger roles they may not be able to thrive in.

The Toronto Raptors could outscore the Celtics.

The Raptors could use Scottie Barnes as a traditional point guard, which might make the combination of Trent and Anunoby on the wing even better than it was last year. FIBA World Cup champion Dennis Schroder and rookie sensation Gradey Dick put this team over the top.

The Raptors are not as good as Boston right now, and they shouldn’t be expected to beat them in many of their head-to-head matchups. However, the disparity in backcourt play could help them hang in with the Brown-Tatum duo in the regular season.