Fansided

NBA Power Rankings: Are the Detroit Pistons for real?

By Ian Levy

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 25: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 25, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 25: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 25, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON- OCTOBER 24 – Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) watches the pre-game pyro as theToronto Raptors start their season 5-0 with a 112-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. October 24, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- OCTOBER 24 – Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) watches the pre-game pyro as theToronto Raptors start their season 5-0 with a 112-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. October 24, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

team. 81. . 6-1. Previous: 1st. Toronto Raptors. 2

The Raptors came back down to earth a bit this week. They dropped their first game of the season — understandable since they were without Kawhi Leonard against the undefeated Bucks — but they also had to play Dallas and Minnesota fairly closely to escape with wins. Their point differential for the season has dropped back to fifth and their defensive efficiency has dropped out of the top-10.

A colder shooting week for Kyle Lowry, and missed games by OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and Delon Wright, in addition to Kawhi’s, were part of the slide. Still, the Raptors are working on putting all the pieces in place and they’ve already established themselves as an elite team. The rest of this regular season is just about getting a rhythm, sanding down the rough edges and jockeying for position.

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