NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 11: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors are on the verge of ending a seven-year stretch of playoff appearances. This season, like last, has been shortened to 72 games. After winning 50 plus regular-season games in each of the last five years, the Raptors have 21 wins in 54 games.
With just 18 games left, there is a slim chance, a sliver of hope, that the Raptors could extend their playoff consistency to eight straight years. The NBA has gotten creative ever since the COVID-19 pandemic affected the flow of last season, and that creativity may help the Raptors.