The Raptors are in what is for them something of a swoon. That’s a convoluted way of saying, ehhhhhh, they’ve lost a few games lately. Most recently, they’re coming off a game against the Clippers in which they had an 18 point lead early on, and somehow managed to lose by 11. That’s quite a swing.
Nevertheless! The Raptors are still 54-20, a lock for first place in the East, and currently barrelling towards the playoffs with, if not momentum, at least a sense of purpose. You read that implication right: the Raps are looking ahead, and believe they can make the Finals — which means everything in the moment is merely leading up to and building towards that potential future.