Image via Getty/Adam Glanzman
Toronto’s championship anniversary is over, and the Raptors finally know what’s in front of them as they get set to defend their title.
The NBA has finally released the schedule for the eight seeding games to be played in Orlando, Florida before the playoffs, and the glass half-full perspective is that the Raptors will be about as well prepared as anyone come playoff time in September. Playoff time in September and October? Is this baseball? No, but it’s all going to take some getting used to.
Currently in control of second seed in the East with a three-game lead over the Boston Celtics, life has been made as difficult as possible to maintain that control. Removing the eight worst teams from the equation was always going to ramp up the competition, and the Raptors will face the best of it the rest of the way. Now, this isn’t some crazy NBA conspiracy as the schedule was made keeping in mind each team’s upcoming schedule. The Raptors are no different with a schedule that’s virtually identical in terms of difficulty to what their eight upcoming games against the 22 teams remaining would have been based on the original 82-game schedule.
RAPTORS’ SEEDING GAMES (STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: 0.639)
Aug. 1 vs. Los Angeles Lakers (49-14)
Aug. 3 vs. Miami Heat (41-24)
Aug. 5 vs. Orlando Magic (30-35)
Aug. 7 vs. Boston Celtics (43-21)
Aug. 9 vs. Memphis Grizzlies (32-33)
Aug. 10 vs. Milwaukee Bucks (53-12)
Aug. 12 vs. Philadelphia 76ers (39-26)
Aug. 14 vs. Denver Nuggets (43-22)
So, what does this all mean in terms of the Raptors’ chances of going back-to-back?
Tough Finish Could Be Ideal Prep
Yes, the final eight games are a steep challenge and will put pressure on the Raptors to find a groove early. That’s good. After over four months without playing an NBA game, facing higher-end competition before the possibility of elimination in the playoffs should serve the Raptors well.
Head coach Nick Nurse has plenty of factors to consider in terms of how he goes about the eight games from juggling intensity and injury risk to giving fringe members of the roster more of an opportunity in the event of losing someone from the core to quarantine due to the coronavirus, but either way will give him a good idea of where his players are in terms of fitness and mental sharpness and who he can trust come the postseason.
Second Seed Still Vital
As was the case before the season was halted due to COVID-19, Toronto holding on to the 2-seed is imperative as it would mean a matchup against either Brooklyn or Orlando—barring a miracle run by the Washington Wizards. The Nets will be without Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Wilson Chandler, while it remains unlikely that rising Magic star Jonathan Isaac or veteran Al-Farouq Aminu will play for Orlando. Boston’s schedule is certainly lighter than Toronto’s, but even a 7-1 close to the season for the Celtics that includes a win over Toronto would require the Raptors to finish a reasonable 5-3. Assuming the Raptors take care of business, it would mean avoiding Philadelphia or Indiana in the first round, a much tougher proposition.
Home-court advantage may be out of the picture with the World Disney bubble, but in a setting with so much uncertainty, maximizing the room for error before their literally is nowhere to hide against the toughest opponent could pay large dividends down the line.
Bubble Verdict
There’s no easy way to the NBA Finals, but life may have been made slightly easier with the change in venue. Milwaukee, Miami, and Philadelphia are a combined 84-10 at home but their home venues are no longer in play. If the Raptors do indeed wrap up the 2-seed, knowing they don’t have to travel to those arenas in either the conference semis or finals will be an advantage.
Toronto became elite road warriors last season finishing with a franchise-record 26-15 record away from Scotiabank Arena before winning their final four road games of the playoffs to winning the title. This season, the Raptors have an identical home and away record with only the Bucks and Lakers performing better on the road.
What Else to Look Out For
With the Raptors playing the Lakers on Aug. 1, this may be the best chance for Danny Green to receive his championship ring. It will be under far less than ideal circumstances, but with no fans expected to be in attendance for the 2020-21 season, he may as well get his hands on it as early as possible.
The Grizzlies matchup will be the first time Toronto matches up against Jonas Valanciunas, and despite no fan fare, it will be fun to see him reunite with his former teammates.
On Aug. 12, the game against Philadelphia will be a chance to see how the seemingly new-look Marc Gasol matches up against Joel Embiid, a matchup Raptors fans have come to love after last year’s championship run and the earlier game this season when the Spanish veteran held Embiid to zero points.