As the season will soon be over in the N.B.A. the Raptors will soon be set for an even greater challenge: trying to win in the playoffs.

As it stands right now it looks like the Raptors will be facing either the Orlando Magic or the Detroit Pistons. Neither option looks very promising for the Raptors in postseason play.

In the Pistons you have one of the best teams in the league, led by Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton, they have one of the best backcourts in the entire league. Add Tayshaun Prince, and who I think is the defensive player of the year in Rasheed Wallace and this could spell doom for the Raptor’s Nation. The biggest problem for the Raptor’s if they face Detroit will be Wallace’s defense on Chris Bosh. Most plays will revolve Bosh getting the ball anywhere on the court, Wallace has the range to cover him anywhere, and make Bosh give up the ball. The big problem is the Raps don’t have a consistent second scoring option. Sometimes it’s Anthony Parker sometimes it T.J. Ford or Jose Calderon, but none of these players motioned can be counted on to score 25 points a night. Also, Wallace is well known for hitting long range jumpers or three’s, Bosh will have to guard him very closely so Wallace does not get an open look. This will lead to easy offensive rebounds for the Pistons as Bosh is clearly the best rebounded on the team by far. If you try to switch Bosh off Wallace will just blow by any other defender the Raptors put in front of him.

The back court will also be a tough challenge for the Raptors to deal with as Chauncey Billups is much stronger than either T.J Ford or Jose Calderon. Billups will be able to back down his defenders in the paint to score easy buckets or pass the ball over to a wide open teammate.

If they face the Orlando Magic the most obvious problem is Dwight Howard. No team in the league can really stop this guy, the only hope is to slow him down. The Raptor’s do have a glimmer of hope in Rasho Nesterovic, he has been in the league a long time, and knows how to win. He has been playing some of his best basketball in the last few months and is not intimidated by Howard. If Nesterovic gets in foul trouble early, then the Raps are in trouble. Andrea Bargnani has looked lost all year long, and has never gotten his confidence back from his rookie season. The Raptors will also have to contend with guarding Hedo Turkoqlu and sweet-shooting Rashard Lewis. Even though Lewis is not nearly worth the money he got in the off season he is still a dangerous threat and when he is hot and make his shot from anywhere on the court. Jamario Moon will have his hands full all day trying to guards these players closely. The Raps will have an advantage on the backcourt and neither Jameer Nelson or Carlos Arroyo are N.B.A starters.