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Toronto Raptors: It’s a make or break it series for Dwane Casey

Nicholas Gonzalez|
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 09: Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors tells from the bench while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on April 9, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Toronto won the game 108-98. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 09: Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors tells from the bench while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on April 9, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Toronto won the game 108-98. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Dwane Casey took over as the Toronto Raptors head coach in 2011. Since then, Toronto has been on a steady rise to the top of the NBA. Can they complete it?

The last few seasons, the Toronto Raptors have failed to get it done in the postseason. They suffered defeats to the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards in the first round in 2014 and 2015, respectively .

In 2016, they pushed all the way to the Conference Finals, only to get beat down by Cleveland in short order. Last season, where many thought they would make it back to the Conference Finals, they were swept by Cleveland in the second round.

Having only made it past the second round twice in his tenure, Casey has been the subject of many questions. Can he get it done in the postseason? Can this team get it done in the postseason? Does he play players too many minutes in the regular season?

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Like many other coaches and players this postseason, he can answer a lot of these questions.

Toronto doesn’t necessarily have to make the NBA Finals in order for this season to be considered a success. After all, Cleveland, who has been a thorne in their side over the last few seasons, is still in their way – they likely will have to play them in the second round, if they can get by Washington first.

Despite the narratives, the Toronto Raptors have been the better team all season long. They would also have homecourt advantage against the Cavs in a potential second-round matchup.

The future of the Raptors and Casey largely lies in what happens over the next few weeks. They have to take care of Washington first, and they took the first step in doing that by winning Game 1 to take a 1-0 series lead.

That’s important because heading into that game, the Raptors were 1-12 all-time in Game 1’s. It may not mean much on the surface, but it was certainly a psychological hurdle.

Must Read: 2018 NBA Playoffs: 8 X-Factors to keep an eye on in the first-round

How many more psychological hurdles can the Raptors leap over this postseason?

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