1st Round

Eastern Conference

• Bucks (1) VS Pistons (8)
• Celtics (4) VS Pacers (5)

Games that will effect Raptors

• Sixers (3) VS Nets (6)
• Raptors (2) VS Magic (7)

Magic VS Raptors

Prediction: Raptors in 5

Things to consider:

• The Raptors are an experienced team and have gone to the playoffs each year since the 2013-2014 season
• Kawhi Leonard has shown to have experience and an impact in the finals when he won finals MVP in 2014
• Pascal Siakam has struggled in the past against Orlando
• The Raptors had a 2-2 record this season against the Magic

The Raptors have had a pretty good season this year winning 58-24. They are a team with a lot of experience and overall talent within the playoffs, especially Kawhi Leonard, winning Finals MVP in 2014. They have an expected advantage over the Magic with the top 5 defence in the league and top 5 offence as well. The Magic have been a good team over the last 30 games or so, and have found a rhythm they fit well in. It will not be surprising if the Magic take a game or two, but it would be a huge upset if the Magic were to take the series from Toronto. Nikola Vucevic has been designated as the best/most effective scorer on the Magic and with Marc Gasol guarding him, the Raptors seem to have a clear advantage.

76ers VS Nets

Prediction: 76ers in 6

Things to consider:

• Embiid is coming back from injury
• They are both fairly non-experienced teams.
• The Nets coach, Kenny Atkinson, has been praised for his work this year with the Nets and has shown to greatly improve the nets

With both teams having a younger lineup, it will be a very entertaining series to watch. Philadelphia is highly anticipated to win the series but it will still be interesting to see what stops D'angelo Russel will have against the 76ers. After leaving the Lakers, Russel made an immediate impact to the team leading them to the first playoff appearance in 4 years. The Sixers finished the season 3rd in the east and the Nets finished 6th. It will be fun to watch the Nets play but we feel they will play in the playoffs this year more for experience rather than to win (obviously will try to win but don’t expect to go far).The result of these two games are expected to play the Raptors.

2nd round, ECF and possible finals

It seems premature and overly optimistic to say that the Raptors are going to make the finals or even the ECF (Eastern Conference Finals) but it seems pretty clear that the Raptors are a very good and competitive team that will at least make it to the 3rd round of the playoffs. The path to the finals will be very difficult if the Sixers were to win against the Pistons. If this were to be the case, Toronto will most likely face Philadelphia, then the Bucks, the biggest threat in the East. Although none of these teams have passed the first round, this is the most likely circumstance.

Fear The Deer

Assuming Toronto passes the Sixers, the Bucks are definitely the biggest threat in the east and possibly the biggest threat. With Milwaukee winning 60-22 this season, they were 1st in the Eastern Conference as well as the entire NBA. They are the biggest concern for Toronto as the goal is to make it to the Finals. The Raptors run is exptected to be difficult but with the experience and talent they have, they're bound to go far. However, knowing this, the Raptors still need to hustle and step up to win games.