NBA Power Rankings: Can Lakers, Nets flip the switch for the stretch run?

14. Toronto Raptors

After a somewhat slow start to the season, the Toronto Raptors have successfully recovered and have emerged as a true threat to create havoc in the Eastern Conference playoffs. This is probably a team that no top seed is going to want to face off in a first-round series.

13. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are in an interesting place. Ideally, the return of Kevin Durant (which could be soon) is going to solve everything and this team is going to evolve back into that championship threat. However, I’m not sure that’s a foregone conclusion.

Especially with big questions that surround a possible Ben Simmons debut, it’s difficult to place expectations on this team heading into the postseason.