The Toronto Raptors currently hold the second seed in the Eastern Conference. They held the second seed last season as well, on their way to the franchise’s first championship. The Raptors last season were led by Kawhi Leonard and a fantastic supporting cast featuring Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka, and Marc Gasol. The team won 4-2 against the injured Golden State Warriors to become champions.
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Much was made about the Toronto Raptors this season as they lost both Leonard and Green to the two LA teams. People counted the Raptors shot at repeating over when Kawhi decided to leave. People doubted if MIP Pascal Siakam could replace Kawhi, as Kyle Lowry already had playoff failure as a leader. The Raptors did go 17-5 in the 22 games Kawhi was load-managed, indicating that this team may have a stronger core than it’s been given credit for.
The Raptors have improved on their regular season from last year. They look to become the fifth team in NBA history to improve their point differential and win percentage after winning a title. All five teams made it back to the NBA Finals. Three of the five teams went on to repeat as champions (12-13 Heat, 01-02 Lakers, and 91-92 Bulls).
In NBA action on Wednesday (6:45 ET on ESPN), the Raptors square off with the 76ers.
Toronto is on pace to improve their record & point differential the year after winning the title. The previous 5 teams to do this all made it back to the Finals, with 3 repeating as champs. pic.twitter.com/SVpKMMc10p
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 12, 2020
Toronto Raptors making it all the way again?
The Toronto Raptors have proven that they have the juice to make it to the finals. They have a virtually unchanged roster outside the departures of Leonard and Green. Players like OG Anunoby and Norman Powell have stepped up to make the Raptors feared yet again. However, they do lack the necessary firepower that the other super-teams have in a certified number one or two player.
The Raptors have a record of 51-19 this season and will play two more games in the bubble. Even if they were to lose their next two games, they would end the season with a 70.8% win record. This eclipses last season’s 70.7% barely where they went 58-24. What isn’t certain is whether they will improve their point-differential. The Raps had a PD of 6 points last season and are currently on 6.2 points this season.
The team will once again be the second seed in the East behind the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks will have led the league in wins for two consecutive seasons now.
