I think the Raptors are the 2nd best team in the east. Cavs still number one because of bron but I do think Toronto is going to end up playing them in the ECF. Cavs will get the 1 seed, Celtics are coming back to earth after that hit start. Toronto will bounce them in the 2nd round with relative ease imo. They have the 3rd best point differential in the league only behind us and the warriors who are historically good this season in terms of point differential and offensive rating. Raptors are also the only team besides the Rockets and warriors to be top 10 on both sides.
And I understand your opinion as well. When you just look at the numbers you're justified. But when you consider the players situations, their teams, the systems they play in, etc. I draw a different conclusion. On a side note, Donavan Mitchell allegedly is out tonight. If so.....The Jazz really should plug both Burks and Hood into the starting line-up, move Ingles over to the 4 and have him play out of the right corner, and they should let RR run PnR the whole game. IF.....they do that.....RR will put up a very efficient double/double and they may win the game even though they are terribly, terribly shorthanded with Gobert, Favors, Mitchell, Nieto, and Exum all out.
