The Toronto Raptors dominated the Detroit Pistons on Friday night with a final score of 118-97. However, even with this amazing performance the Raptors are currently out of playoff contention, currently ranking ninth in the East. They find themselves in the play-in tournament currently but with their performance this year it’s unlikely they beat any team in a seven game series to put them into the playoffs. So will the team be able to make it into the playoffs with just eight games left in the season? Let’s look at the numbers and see what we can come up with!
Currently the Raptors sit ninth place in the standings, just one win away from passing the Atlanta Hawks, and four wins away from Brooklyn and Miami. Therefore with eight games left it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to catch the Nets and Heat. Will they be able to beat the Hawks though for that eighth spot.
In my honest opinion, I doubt it.
The Raptors have a tough schedule to end the year as they are up against the Wizards, Heat, 76ers, Hornets X2, Celtics X2, and the Bucks. The Hawks also have a tough schedule as they are facing the Grizzlies, Cavs, Nets, Mavericks, Bulls, Wizards, 76ers and Celtics. The Hawks schedule is significantly easier though and they are much more likely to win games then the Raptors are.
Time will tell which team will prevail in this race but don’t count on seeing the Raptors in the playoffs this year.
The Raptors play the Wizards today at home.