The Toronto Raptors had an impressive end to their season, ultimately highlighted by going 14-4 in their last 18 games. Head coach Nick Nurse effectively developed a system utilizing their length and athleticism, creating nightmares for opposing offenses. The Raptors will face off with the 4th seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the opening round and will look to rehash the memories of sending Philly home in heart-breaking fashion as was the case in 2019.

The impressive play of the Raptors was largely led by Pascal Siakam, who averaged 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists this season. The former Most Improved Player continues to add layers to his game year in and out. The rebounding and assists totals Siakam tallied this year were both career highs, also setting a new career-best of 1.3 steals per game. Spicy P will certainly play an important role in this series, but he may not be the Raptors' biggest ingredient of success.

Raptors X-Factor for 2022 NBA Playoffs

Scottie Barnes' Importance

There are so many great things to say about Scottie Barnes. He plays his heart out every second he is on the court, possesses infectious energy, and makes a notable impact on the game on a nightly basis. The rookie forward averaged an impressive 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this season after being selected 4th overall in last year's draft.

It is rare for a rookie to make a major impact during his first time in the postseason, but this is a matchup that is primed for Barnes to take advantage of. One of the most impressive parts of the Florida State product's game is the ability to take the ball coast-to-coast. Barnes is a perfect fit in the Raptors' style of play in which each player on the court is capable of handling the ball. Scottie Barnes is more than just capable of handling the ball as he can be a flat-out menace in transition. The 20-year-old can often start the break himself as indicated by his 1.1 steals per game.

When looking ahead to the matchup with the Sixers, the transition battle should be circled by both teams. The Sixers struggled to get back on defense all season and ended tied for 28th in the NBA in opponents' fast-break points. If Barnes is able to get out and run, it will shift the game greatly in the Raptors' favor.

Putting an emphasis on transition play is also a great tactic for slowing down Joel Embiid, as he is undoubtedly the Sixers' biggest key to success. Both Joel Embiid and James Harden are at their best in a half-court offense, so speeding up the pace of play and attacking before Embiid is able to settle in and protect the rim will shift the game in Toronto's favor.

This series is likely to be a bloodbath one way or another. Philadelphia carries championship aspirations, but this is a very difficult matchup for them. The Sixers struggled against athletic wings all season, complicated by the fact they will be without their best perimeter defender, Matisse Thybulle, during away games due to his inability to enter Canada without being fully vaccinated.

The Sixers are favored to win the series and carry a -180 line, but the Raptors carry one of the shorter odds of underdog teams at +150. Look no further than the transition battle as an indicator of how the teams are playing and expect Scottie Barnes to play a vital role in this.