Surging Raptors Secure Top Six Seed In The NBA Playoffs

The Toronto Raptors have gone on a terrific run, bypassing a number of rivals to secure one of the top six spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs. With their impressive performance they have managed to avoid the play in tournament and the uncertainty that goes along with it. 

Raptors are hot at the right time

Less than one month ago, the Raptors were mired in a three-game losing streak and were a scant four games over the .500 mark. With an Eastern Conference chock full of talented teams, it looked like the best they could do was earn a spot in the unpredictable play in tournament that forces the bottom four seeds to battle it out in a round robin style tourney to earn a spot in the typical eight-team bracket.

Since March 9th, the Raptors have gone an unbelievable 12-3, beating powerhouse teams like the Suns, Celtics, and 76ers along the way. Their torrid streak has seen them blow past the Nets, Hawks, Cavaliers, and the Bulls to take hold of the Eastern Conference’s fifth seed. While the Bulls can still catch them mathematically, the Raptors are assured to finish no worse than sixth, and they will end their season with back-to-back games against the Rockets and the Knicks, two of the weakest teams in the NBA. Given their impressive play it seems likely that they will hold on to their current position – we’re interested to see what the odds will be like at online gambling sites in the coming weeks.

Pascal Siakam leading the charge

Superstar Forward Pascal Siakam has taken his game up a notch during the Raptors’ incredible run. He has led the team in scoring in nine of their last 15 games, and has averaged an impressive 25.8 points per game during the run. He hung up 40 points against the Celtics who are the top-ranked defensive team in the NBA, and he put up a triple-double against the Timberwolves.

While their impressive run has gained the attention of the league and of course the fans in Toronto, the bookmakers have not been as impressed. They have the Raptors at +4500 to represent the Eastern Conference in the finals, with both the Bulls (+3500) and the Nets (+320) being given significantly better odds in spite of being behind Toronto in the standings. They are an even bigger longshot to win the NBA Championship, at +11000 they are even with or behind two Western Conference teams that will be participating in their conference play in tournament, the Clippers and the Timberwolves.

Can they bring another title to Toronto?

The Raptors’ 2019 NBA Championship is still fresh in the memories of Raptors fans, and with many of the same players in the fold, in addition to playing their best basketball of the season heading into the playoffs they also have the experience required to make a deep playoff run. They have everything a team needs to succeed in the postseason, from a strong defensive team to a superstar capable of dominating a game and out-playing any opponent.

While much of the attention is focused elsewhere on some of the other outstanding teams in the NBA, the Raptors are turning themselves into an opponent that no one wants to end up facing in the playoffs. While they might not be able to put together another championship run like they did in 2019, the Raptors will make a dangerous foe for whomever they end up facing in the first round of the playoffs. Regardless of the outcome, it is shaping up to be another thrilling postseason for Raptors fans. Why not take a look at our top picks of the best sports betting sites to see what odds are available?