Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets: Playoffs Game One Prediction

The Toronto Raptors will look to begin their title defense with a strong start. The opportunity is ripe, as they face the depleted Brooklyn Nets roster in the first round of the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are the second seed, while the Nets are seventh. The Nets saw most of their active regular-season roster opt-out due to different fitness concerns. The Nets were also one of the teams in the bubble who’s roster was hit by a COVID-19 outbreak.

Nonetheless, the Nets managed to go 5-3 in the bubble, upsetting teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and LA Clippers. However, they are almost completely outmatched by this Toronto Raptors team. Not only do they have a full-strength roster, but they also have the second-best record in the bubble. The Raps went 7-1 in the bubble seeding games, despite not having anything to particularly play for.

The Raptors are possibly the most solid team in the entire NBA right now. They have the championship pedigree and a consistent roster. The Nets may not have their best players, but their reserves have taken a massive step up and posted a winning record in the bubble when people expected them to get swept 0-8.

Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets: Who wins?

The Raptors should take this matchup. The Nets have had a great story and even pushed the Portland Trail Blazers to the brink of elimination. However, they just do not have the resources to upset the defending champions. Toronto is possibly the best-coached franchise in the league, with Nick Nurse looking to win a second title in his second season.

The Nets have seen players like Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen and Joe Harris emerge as extremely valuable players. However, the talent that surrounds them is way too streaky to be relied on. They could have hot shooting nights, but those are rare against the very defensively sound Raptors team. The Raptors have been one of the best defensive teams in the league.

Even though LeVert is a great offensive player, the Raptors have an entire bench of players that could mark him. It begins with Fred VanVleet and goes on to players like OG Anunoby and Norman Powell. The depth of this Raptors team is also one of their biggest strengths, and that is the biggest weakness for the Nets. We predict that the Nets will come up empty, but they still have a very promising season to look ahead to with this bench core and their starters returning.