Raptors seem comfortable in No. 7 spot

Unless the Toronto Raptors are planning for a quick exit from this year's playoffs, they better start winning games to avoid matching up with the Detroit Pistons in the first round.

The Raptors (38-39) have already captured their second straight playoff berth, and currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference standings. They are two games behind Washington for the fifth spot and one game in back of Philadelphia for No. 6. Losing three straight games and owning a 4-11 record over the last 15 contests doesn't build much confidence or change postseason positioning at all.

If Toronto finishes seventh in the East, which is a strong possibility, head coach Sam Mitchell can get an early start on purchasing more of those classy designer suits he sports on the sidelines. Mitchell is in his fourth season with the Raptors and has guided the squad to the playoffs just once. Toronto was bounced in six games by New Jersey in the first round last year.

Mitchell, the club's all-time leader in wins (145) and Coach of the Year in 2006-07, would match up better with either Cleveland or Orlando in the opening round of the postseason instead of second-seeded Detroit. The Raptors are 1-2 against the Pistons this year and will close out their regular-season series with them on April 13 at The Palace of Auburn Hills -- a place where Toronto has dropped nine straight, 11 of 12 and 12 of the last 14 contests.

Continued at My Sportsbook...