Toronto Raptors Two-Man Game: The Serge Ibaka Fight
By Demar Grant
What’s a bigger priority? Avoiding the Cavs in the second round of the Bucks in the first?
Demar: This one is a bit more complicated. If you hate Dwane Casey and want him gone; then you actually want the Toronto Raptors to play the Bucks in the first round, hoping they lose and Ujiri ousts him.
But, if you’re a rational thinking human being, then you want to avoid anything Lebron James-related until you absolutely must confront him. Ignore him and hope he goes away, just like that weird growth on the back of your head.
So if that means playing the Bucks in the first round with Kyle Lowry just coming off his injury, it’s a better scenario for the Drakes to make a hypothetical deep run.
Chris: I think avoiding the Bucks — and the Heat — is a bigger priority. Unless the Cavs are shockingly upset this postseason, the Raptors will inevitably have to play them, so I don’t think it matters when they play them. I get losing in the Eastern Conference Finals looks better than the second round, but at the end of the day it’s still a loss to the Cavs.
Although Khris Middleton is healthy now, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is a freak of nature, I think Toronto should be able to handle the Bucks. The Raptors are deeper and I’ll take Lowry in a seven-game series over any guard the Bucks have.
I do think people are sleeping on the Heat, though! They started the year 11-30, but have posted a 25-8 record since then and have the pieces in place to push the Raptors in a seven-game series.
Of course, the health of Dion Waiters will impact the Heat’s playoff outlook, but I think Miami is a team that could give the Raptors trouble.