As I was watching the Nets vs Raptors game last Wednesday (It was Drake Night as well!), I couldn’t help but to think about a potential playoff meeting between these two teams again this year.

Last year’s game 7 of this series was among not only the best in the first round, but the playoffs period. It was loud and energetic for the entire game and Wednesday’s game felt no different.

The Nets are currently the 8th seed, with the Raptors the 1st seed. If the regular season were to end today, these two teams would face off in the playoffs. And can you imagine the pressure the Raptors would face? The last 1 seed to lose to the 8 seed in the first round was San Antonio in 2011, who looked like a shell of their former selves. Dallas almost did it last year vs the Spurs, but they were blown out in game 7.

And you know what’s the difference between those 8 seeds I listed above, and the Nets this year? Those teams were good.

This Nets team is currently 11-15 and their leading scorer, Joe Johnson, has been an average player all season. The player who’s suppose to be the face of the franchise, Deron Williams, has struggled immensely, as his 40.3% field goal percentage is the lowest of his career. The team has been below average on offense all year, and a middle-of-the-pack team defensively. Oh, and they’ve had the 2nd easiest schedule in the league.

But they play in the East, and unfortunately teams that are not good have a chance of making the playoffs. Proof? The Celtics, who just traded the last piece from their 2008 championship squad, are only half a game behind Brooklyn.

The Raptors on the other hand? They’re the best team in the East and among the 5 best teams in the league. Kyle Lowry has been arguably the most important player to their team in the East, and a strong MVP candidate. They’re 2nd in the league in scoring at 107.8 PPG, trailing only the Dallas Mavericks, who are on pace to be the most efficient scoring team in NBA history. Some will say that this has to do with their easy, home-heavy schedule, which is true to a degree. But they’ve almost always had these king of schedule. As a matter of fact, they had the easiest schedule in the league two seasons ago. The result? A 34-48 record and the 10th seed.

Now, the real question is this: can these teams hold onto their positions?

The Atlanta Hawks, who are 9-1 in their last 10 are only 2 games behind the Raptors for the 1st seed. The Raptors have been without DeMar DeRozan since November 29th after he tore a tendon in his right leg, and he’s a vital piece to this team not just now, but in April, when they need him the most.

Terrence Ross has stepped up since DeRozan went down, averaging 14 points and shooting 45% from the field, compared to 10.7 points and 43% shooting when DeRozan was in the lineup.

Seeing as we’re only a quarter into the season, the Raps have all but cemented the 1 seed. If DeRozan can get back before the all-star break (he probably will), the Raptors will likely hold onto the 1 seed. The only other way that the Raptors lose the 1 seed is an insanely hot run by either the Hawks, Cavaliers or Wizards (Cavs are 7-3 in their last 10 and the Wizards are 8-2). Other than that, I see the Raptors, for the first time ever, finishing atop the East.

The Nets are a completely different story. They’re 4-6 in their last 10 games (although all of those losses, with the exception of the Heat, came to teams above .500), and the team is another big injury on the verge of total collapse. Brook Lopez hasn’t played in 2 weeks and the rest of the big men can’t carry the load of scoring that he provided.

Could you imagine Brooklyn losing a playoff spot to Boston, Orlando and Indiana? I personally can’t.

I think the Nets are safe for now. As stated above, unless they’re hit with another big injury, I think they retain the 8th seed.

I want to see another first round matchup between these two teams.

Make it happen.

All statistics courstesy of basketball-reference.com