NBA Power Rankings: The Raptors are standing on top

By Ian Levy | Dec 4, 2018

TORONTO, ON- NOVEMBER 29 - Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) and Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) laugh during warm-ups as the Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors 131-128 in overtime in Toronto. November 29, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

16 of 16

TORONTO, ON- NOVEMBER 29 – Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during anthems as the Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors 131-128 in overtime in Toronto. November 29, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Previous: 2nd. Toronto Raptors. 1. team. 81. . 20-5

Despite a tight loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Toronto Raptors have taken over the top spot in these power rankings. There have been a few NBA teams who are hotter than Toronto over the past few weeks, but none who also happened to come out of the gate as strongly as them. The Raptors still have a game against the Warriors this week which will absolutely shape how they’re seen moving forward.

Next. Meet the 2018 NBA 25-under-25. dark

One of the most interesting things about the Raptors is their potential to clean up on post-season awards. Kawhi Leonard is on the shortlist of MVP favorites and is a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Pascal Siakam could easily take Most Improved and may also get a vote or two for DPOY. On the coaching front, whoever wins the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference could end up with the Coach of the Year vote. The Raptors don’t really have a viable Sixth Man of the Year Award candidate right now but Fred VanVleet was right there last year and a resurgent second-half of the season could put him back in play. It’s unlikely, but a sweep is at least possible…

Home/NBA