The Toronto Raptors want to ride a defensive identity into the Eastern Conference playoffs and pull off at least one series upset. The biggest thing standing in their way? Their own All-Star forward, Brandon Ingram.
For Toronto, their success this season has not been built on the offensive end. Ingram is having a fine scoring season, Barnes is underrated as a scorer and playmaker, and RJ Barrett is the key to 48 consistent minutes of offensive juice. In the end, however, the Raptors are just middle-of-the-road on offense. Defense is their calling card.
Toronto's strength is its defense
The number of elite defenders on the Raptors roster numbers at least three.