Lottery Odds: Raptors Get Ideal Night With Odds in their Favor
The Toronto Raptors have essentially clinched the sixth-worst record in the NBA thanks to another victory by the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday
This is what the Toronto Raptors had hoped for.
Wednesday's shocking victory by the Memphis Grizzlies over the Milwaukee Bucks has all but clinched Toronto the sixth-worst record in the NBA and what'll be a 46% chance to land a top-six pick in this summer's NBA Draft.
The Grizzlies had been ahead of Toronto in the reverse standings all season but a 15-game losing streak by the Raptors has given the organization a three-game lead over Memphis with six games to go. Considering how the Raptors are playing these days, it would be shocking if Toronto somehow won enough games to slide below Memphis.
It'll take a miracle for Toronto to move up any further in the reverse standings considering Portland has a three-game lead for the fifth-worst record. The Trail Blazers did beat the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, but with six games to go in their season, it's unlikely Toronto has enough time to make up the ground. Should it happen, Toronto would have a 64% chance to keep its first-round pick.
The Raptors owe their first-round pick to San Antonio this year if it lands outside the top six in the NBA Draft Lottery. If Toronto does keep the pick, the organization will owe San Antonio a top-six protected first-round pick again next season.
Indiana's Pick
A loss by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night has dropped them into the seventh seed in the East, theoretically opening the door for Toronto to land a lottery pick courtesy of Indiana.
The Pacers would have to lose to Philadelphia in the opening game of the play-in tournament and then lose again at home to either Chicago or Atlanta to fall out of the playoffs entirely. If that were to happen, Indiana's pick would end up in the lottery.
Detroit's Pick
Detroit now has a 1.5-game lead on the Wizards for the worst record in the NBA. If the Pistons do clinch the league's worst record, the Raptors will earn the 31st pick in the draft courtesy of the OG Anunoby trade with the New York Knicks that saw Toronto acquire Detroit's second-round pick.
