The chips are down, the Toronto Raptors will face the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
The Raptors (48-34) clinched their eighth playoff appearance in nine seasons with a victory over the Atlanta Hawks last Tuesday. Then on Friday they confirmed their fifth-place finish by making a comeback to beat the Rockets on Friday.
However, congestion in the Eastern Conference standings meant that everyone had to wait until the last day of the regular season to find out their opponent in the first round.
In the Raptors’ case, star players Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet were given a day off on Sunday and the team suffered an inconsequential 105-94 loss to the New York Knicks.
The Boston Celtics clinched a 139-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies to secure second place in the East. Thus, the Sixers could not do better than fourth place and the Raptors were already confined to fifth place. The best-of-seven series kicks off in Philadelphia next Saturday or Sunday.
The Raptors will enter the playoffs on a hot streak since a five-game winning streak in the West in early March, with the Toronto outfit winning 14 of 18 games. This is the best record in the NBA during this period.
Against the 76ers, the Raptors went 3-1 this season, including a 119-114 win at home last Thursday. Sixers defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle was unable to play in Toronto in that game, casting doubt on his presence in Canada for the series.
Players must be vaccinated to cross the Canadian border. The rule also applies to Raptors players who must travel to the United States, but the entire team has been vaccinated.
In the playoffs, the Raptors and Sixers have met twice. In 2019, the Torontonians won to the sound of the siren during the memorable shot by Kawhi Leonard at the very end of the 7and match. The Raptors then continued their journey to the title of NBA champions.
In 2001, the Sixers won the Eastern semi-finals after a fiery duel featuring Vince Carter and Allen Iverson.