1. Toronto Raptors
Finding edges in the postseason is always difficult. After a few games in a series, you will pick up on your opponent’s tendencies and plays. At that point, execution becomes key. If you execute what you want to do better than your opponent, that will normally win out in the end.
However, the Toronto Raptors possess an advantage that no one else has because of COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Canada. Any unvaccinated player will not be allowed to travel to Toronto to play in games.
That is a huge competitive edge that the Raptors have, as their entire roster is vaccinated. The same cannot be said for some of their opponents.
Playing three or four games in Toronto without your regular rotation could derail a team’s playoff hopes rather quickly.
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Not only do they have an advantage from that standpoint, but the Toronto Raptors are peaking at the right time. They have won eight of their last 10 games, surging up the Eastern Conference standings, currently holding down the fifth seed.
They look locked into that fifth seed, but their opponent is not yet decided. The Boston Celtics would have major concerns heading to Toronto as Jaylen Brown and Al Horford are both reportedly unvaccinated. Kyrie Irving is also not vaccinated for the Brooklyn Nets should those teams match up down the line.
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The team currently matched up with the Toronto Raptors, the Philadelphia 76ers, were without Matisse Thybulle in their matchup this week as he was listed as ineligible to play. He very well could be unvaccinated, too, meaning the 76ers would be without their defensive ace against the Raptors.
