Ten
That's the magic number for the Toronto Raptors, not totally promising, as they sit tied with Charlotte for 7th, just 2.5 games ahead of ninth place Chicago. Especially considering the Raptors haven't played well recently, there's obvious reason why people may think they'll miss. However, checking with www.playoffstatus.com (the ultimate site for playoff scenerios) the Raptors are in good shape, with an 87% chance of getting to the postseason.
Let's assume the Raptors make it. They would most likely by a seven or eight seed. Right now, there's a 55% chance of being a 8th seed and 22% of a 7th seed. A small 10% chance could see them as a 6th seed and therers a miniscule 1% chance of anything higher. What does this spell?
Well, this means the Raptors are bound for the bottom eight and they will have to play one of the Cavs, Magic, Celtics, or Hawks in round one. What's the best scenerio for the Raptors to win? None in my opinion, I don't see them beating any of these teams in a best of seven. But let's evaluate anyway.
Cleveland would be the Raptors most likely opponent right now. The Cavs are the favorites to win the East and are anchored by LeBron James, Shaq, and Antwann Jamison. The Raptors are 1-2 against Cleveland, with an upset win on opening night. They have hung with them all the way through this season through every game, but just hanging around in the playoffs can equal an early loss.
Orlando was the Raptors first round opponent two years ago and easily jettisoned Toronto in the series. Toronto does not have a force to equal Dwight Howard, at center unless they put Bosh there, which is a big problem. Orlando won the season series 3-1, with the lone Raptor win coming during a major Magic midseason slump.
The Celtics have been the thorn in the Raptors foot since 2008. They're the only real competition in the Atlantic the last three years, Toronto has not been able to win consistently against their division rivals. The Celtics are up 3-0 in the series this year and will try to sweep the Raptors in their final meeting in two weeks.
The Hawks are the yougnest and most upstart of these top four teams. They have had the Raptors number recently, with Toronto upsetting them this past Wednesday on a Chris Bosh game winner. Between players like Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, and Josh Smith, this is an explosive and dangerous team.
So there's your candidates Raptor fans. Pick your poison.
Studs and Duds This Week
Toronto 106, Atlanta 105
Stud: DeMar DeRozen- Toronto may have won on a Chris Bosh shot, but it certainly helped that Mr. Inconsistency score 19 points on the night.
Dud: Jose Calderon- Not much of an offensive force on the night and was badly outplayed by Mike Bibby on the opposite end.
Oklahoma City 115, Toronto 89
Stud: Kevin Durant- This guy MUST be an MVP candidate. Heads above any other player on the court Friday night, his 31 points and agressive play was fun to watch.
Dud: DeMar DeRozan- What's NOT fun to watch is DeRozan going from really good one game to really, REALLY bad the next. Nothing ever changes.
Toronto 100, New Jersey 90
Stud: Chris Bosh- Damn, 16 for 27 shooting and 36 points?!?! talk aboout single handedly winning a game for a team.
Dud: Andrea Bargnani- Was owned by Brook Lopez on Saturday. Yeah, that's right, Brook Lopez. Foul trouble and poor shooting also contributed to the dud here.
Toronto 106, Minnesota 100
Stud: Chris Bosh- He broke the franchise record for most double-doubles in one season as he put up 21 points and 10 boards on last night. Pretty damn solid, best congrats to Bosh.
Dud: Reggie Evans- Looked like a random tree stump moving back and forth on the court. The whole seven minutes he played was a complete waste of time.
My Raptors Picks This Week
I hope you enjoyed the Nets and Timberwolves games last week, becuase this week is brutal. Utah, Denver, Miami, Charlotte, all of those playoff teams and all teams that the Raptors may struggle to beat. That's why, in my pessimistic ways, I'm going with total collapse and 0-4 week. Not something I usually do, but I just don't feel good about any of this weeks matchups.
Last Week 3-1
Season 30-21
Wed. vs Utah LOSS
Fri. vs Denver LOSS
Sun. at Miami LOSS
Mon. at Charlotte LOSS
It's Happy Time!!!
Happy 37th Birthday Jason Kidd- One of the oldest players in the NBA is also one of the best point guards around. Long-time All-Star ballhandler of Phoenix and New Jersey, he now runs the offense of the Dallas Mavericks, a sure fire playoff team. Happy Birthday Jason.
Happy 16th Anniversary Isiah Thomas- One of the great ballhandlers in NBA history, Thomas earned his 9,000th assist in his career on this day in 1994, becoming fourth player at the time to do so.
Happy Trails Chris Cohan- The current owner of the Golden State Warriors as put hsi franchsie up for sale. Maybe now the Warriors can get an owner who wants to put a winner on the court.
Around the NBA
Atlantic- So, the countdown is on. The New Jersey Nets need three wins to avoid being the worst team in NBA history. Personally, as an avid Raptor fan, I obviously don't like the Nets and hope this happens, but come ON. Three wins in 12 games, is that much to ask? For the Nets, apparently so.
Central- As expected, Zydrunas Ilgauskas has returned to the Cavaliers to patch up the middle with Shaq out until the playoffs. Z was released from Washington a month ago in a big selling spree and will provide some veteran presence and size to Cleveland for the postseason run.
Southeast- Gibert Arenas' fate is still in limbo. Prosecuters want him in jail for three motnsh, while Arenas' lwayers say probation and community service should be the punsihment. My take? Just take the three months in jail. Compared to what Plaxico Burress recevied for his punishment, three months is chump change.
Southwest- Want a sleeper for the upcoming playoffs? How about maybe the slow but steady San Antonio Spurs? Let's face it, this is a team that has playoff experience, should get Tony Parker back, and has the ability to shut down top offenses like Denver and Oklahoma City.
Northwest- Trouble in the paradise of Portland? GM Kevin Pritchard's job could be in jeopardy, as reported on Yahoo by Adrian Wojnarowski today. I don't follow Portland on a consistent basis, but I don't see many problems with how the Blazers are run, they have gotten much better since Pritchard came in. Just saying.
Pacific- As I noted above, the Golden State Warriors are for sale, with local company Oracle beign an interested buyer. Whoever buys Golden State in any case MUST make this team a contender. Outside of that upset of #1 Dallas a few years back, they've been a joke since I remember. Oh, and PLEASE change that stupid ninja like logo while your at it.
What To Watch This Week
Tuesday- Charlotte at Washington 7:00 SportSouth
Critical to the Raptors playoffs hopes, the bobcats look to take 7th to themselves as the travel to take on the hapless Wizards.
Wednesday- Denver at Boston 7:00 ESPN
Possible NBA Finals preview? you never know, the run and gun Nuggets take their act to the East to take on the soon to be Atlantic Division champion Celtics.
Thursday- Dallas at Portland 10:30 TNT
Watch for living proof that the Trailblazers aren't that bad of a team, they host the red hot Dallas Mavericks. Smell upset here, Portland is 23-13 at home.
Friday- Cleveland at San Antonio 8:30 FS Ohio
The Spurs have one of the best defensive teams in the league, can they find a way to shut down LeBron and the high octane Cavs?
Saturday- LA Lakers at Houston 8:30 FS Houston
The Rockets are fighting for their slim playoff lives, if they want any chance to get in, they must win in a game against the top team in the West, the Lakers.
Sunday- San Antonio at Boston 8:00 ESPN
Now the Spurs face another east powerhouse, heading north to take on Paul Pierce and the Celtics in a huge playoff race battle.
Monday- Denver at Dallas 8:30 NBA TV
Want to see a possible second round playoff preview? It could be very possible as two great offenses do battle in Big D.
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