2018 NBA Playoffs Preview: Toronto Raptors vs Washington Wizards, SWOT Analysis & Prediction

X-Factors:

Raptors:

Fred VanVleet

VanVleet has emerged as a key player for the Raptors

Aside from being the heart of the Raptors' prolific second unit, VanVleet also plays a significant number of minutes in crunch time. The 24-year-old's tenacity on defense and ability to create his own shot could make him a key figure in Toronto's playoff run, even if the three-guard lineup isn't particularly effective against the Wizards.

VanVleet also ranks twenty-second in Real Plus-Minus — an advanced statistic that attempts to determine a player's on-court value after taking the performances of his teammates and opponents into account.

The second-year player is currently suffering from a shoulder injury and is questionable for the opening game against the Wizards. If he happens to be in "street clothes" at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday, don't be surprised to see the Raptors suffered their eleventh consecutive defeat in a Game 1.

Wizards:

Tomas Satoransky

Satoransky's performances must translate to the playoffs

Even though Washington haven't been blessed with nearly the amount of depth as their first-round opponents, Tomas Satoransky has proven that he can make significant contributions for the Wizards.

In the absence of John Wall, Satoransky was given more ball-handling responsibilities and came into his own as a playmaker, averaging almost five assists a game after the turn of the year. At 6 feet and 7 inches, he is also tough to guard and can cause Toronto a number of match-up problems.