For the Brooklyn Nets, making the playoffs is already some sort of an overachievement, as they weren’t expected to do much without Kyrie Irving for most of the season and Kevin Durant still recuperating from his Achilles injury. But here they are, starless and getting ready for the postseason. Their first test in the playoffs will be against the reigning NBA champions, Toronto Raptors, who are gunning another deep postseason run.
Are the Nets really without a star in Orlando? Caris LeVert is probably the closest active Nets to that status, as he’s balled out in the Bubble. In six games in the seedings, LeVert averaged 25.0 points on 48.0 percent shooting from the field. He’s also been dishing out 6.7 assists per game, as the team’s primary option on offense. The Nets also have Joe Harris and Jarrett Allen, who will be integral to Brooklyn for as long as the Nets stay in the playoffs. Harris is putting up 20.0 points per game in Orlando while shooting 54.1 percent from deep. Allen is scoring 15.7 points and getting 11.0 boards at Disney World. Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot is also another emerging asset for Brooklyn, which got 43 points from the Frenchman in the last two games. The Nets beat Toronto last Feb. 12 at home, 101-91, with LeVert and Harris scoring 20 and 19 points, respectively.
The Nets are 2-0 against the spread in their last two games against Toronto.
The Raptors have made it clear that they’re ready for the playoffs, having won all of their last four outings in the seeding games. In fact, Toronto has won 11 of its last 12 games, dating back to the pre-COVID-19 suspension back in March. The Raptors have many capable players, but in Orlando, their best weapon is their defense. Since the NBA restarted, the Raptors are the No. 1 defensive team down in Orlando, with opponents scoring just 106.4 points per game on 42.0 percent shooting from the field. While LeVert is a dangerous weapon for the Nets, the Raptors do have the tools to clamp him down. Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby are just two players who can shadow the Nets’ top scorer. The Raptors also have the decided advantage in the frontcourt, with Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, and a rising Chris Boucher sharing duties down low.
The Raptors are 7-2-1 against the spread in their last 10 games.
