A lot will be decided regarding the 2020 NBA playoffs when 22 teams each play eight regular-season games in Orlando, Florida this summer. The defending champs might have the most certain future of anyone, all but guaranteed to secure a top playoff seed.

The Toronto Raptors were the No.2 seed in Eastern Conference when the season was suspended indefinitely on March 11. Trailing the No.1 seed Milwaukee Bucks by 6.5 games and leading the No.3 seed Boston Celtics by three games, Toronto is highly unlikely to lose its current spot in the postseason bracket.

The No.4 seed Miami Heat are 5.5 games behind the Raptors with eight left to play.

Technically, there are three candidates to finish with the No.7 seed and face the No.2 in a first-round playoff series. Realistically, only a pair of teams have a chance to earn the East’s second-to-last postseason berth.

The No.7 seed Brooklyn Nets are 8.5 games behind the No.6 seed Philadelphia 76ers, making it mathematically impossible for them to finish any higher. The No.8 seed Orlando Magic are a half-game behind Brooklyn and another possible playoff opponent for Toronto.

The No.9 seed Washington Wizards are the only East team out of the current playoff picture that was invited to Orlando. Washington is six games behind Brooklyn in the standings with virtually no chance of catching the Nets.

A matchup between Toronto and Orlando would be a repeat of last year’s first round. The Magic stole Game 1 on the road before losing the next four games by a total of 75 points.

Kawhi Leonard led the franchise to its first-ever championship last year, dethroning the Golden State Warriors and winning the 2019 NBA Finals MVP award. Toronto isn’t among the title favorites without Leonard, though the team is statistically still one of the league’s best.

With the third-best record in the NBA, just ahead of Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto is tied with L.A. for third with a 6.5 point differential. The Raptors rank 12th in defensive rating and second in offensive rating.

Toronto is fourth in net rating behind only the Bucks, Lakers and Clippers.

Pascal Siakam started in the 2020 All-Star Game and is averaging 23.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Kyle Lowry was an All-Star for the sixth straight season.

The Raptors have stayed near the top of the East all season long, despite Siakam missing 11 games and Lowry missing 12 contests. Fred VanVleet has played 48 of the team’s 64 games.

Five Raptors are averaging at least 16 points per game.

Fred VanVleet Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors
Fred VanVleet #23 and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors react during the first half of an NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at Scotiabank Arena on October 30, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
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