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NBA Power Rankings: How far will the Warriors fall?

By Ian Levy

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 18: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors stretches before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 18, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 18: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors stretches before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 18, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 16: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors reacts to a call during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on November 16, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 16: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors reacts to a call during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on November 16, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

Toronto Raptors. 2. team. 81. . 13-4. Previous: 4th

As the Warriors have faded, the Raptors have stepped forward as the clear second-best team in the NBA this season. Their per 100 possession point differential of plus-7.7 is a step down from last season and trails the No. 1 team in these rankings by a significant margin but it’s still a tier above any other contender and, as mentioned above, they are one of the few teams in the league who has performed at an elite level at both ends.

Kawhi Leonard has looked every bit the MVP-caliber piece the Raptors were hoping he’d be, but the scorching shooting of Serge Ibaka, the development of Pascal Siakam and the lighter creation load on Kyle Lowry have been just as important. There are some interesting tests coming up for Toronto, with games against Denver, Memphis and Golden State at the end of the month — all opportunities for them to prove they really are as good as they’ve looked.

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