With their win over Philadelphia combined with New Jersey’s loss to Chicago, the Raps clinch their first ever Atlantic Division crown. Now the Raptors focus will be on holding off the Miami Heat and clinching 3rd overall in the Eastern Conference.

If the Raps are able to clinch 3rd, they could meet the Washington Wizards, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic or Indiana Pacers. The Wizards are injury ridden and hold a 4 game lead on the Nets for 6th, but with seven games remaining including a home and home series with the

Nets, it will be tough for them to hold 6th place. The Magic aren’t deep at all and they would need Dwight Howard to put up monster numbers if they wanted to make any noise in the playoffs. The Pacers don’t really have an identity right now, but they do have a talented squad and I wouldn’t want them to come alive in the first round.

I feel confident that the Raptors would do well against any of those team in a playoff series. They have a deeper bench, better team basketball and a building that has proved to be a tough place to play. GO RAPS GO

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