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Boston Celtics: 5 teams road blocking a 2018-19 NBA Finals berth

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: A t-shirt is seen on a seat prior to Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: A t-shirt is seen on a seat prior to Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors were the North last season until they ran into LeBron James.

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Looking like the favorites in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, the Raptors faltered when going up against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.

The four-game sweep at the hands of LeBron supported how many critics felt about the Raptors heading into the playoffs.  They are a good regular season team that can’t figure it out in the playoffs.

Led by DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, the Raptors can’t be counted out, but a fully loaded Boston Celtics team should present the kind of roadblock James and the Cavs did.  Unless they somehow add a third superstar player, it could be the same results for a team that fired Coach of the Year Dwayne Casey.

With that being said, Toronto has been a matchup problem for the Boston Celtics over the last few seasons.  With LeBron James out of the way in the East, it is possible the Raptors will gain some confidence and make it further in the playoffs.  If they do so, it will be a tough challenge for the Boston Celtics, but a challenge they should overcome if everyone is healthy.

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