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NBA Power Rankings: Highs and lows for the Toronto Raptors

By Ian Levy

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 6: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors looks on with Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 6, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 6: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors looks on with Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 6, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – JANUARY 4: Russell Westbrook #0 and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stand for the national anthem before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 4, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – JANUARY 4: Russell Westbrook #0 and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stand for the national anthem before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 4, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

7. team. 149. . 25-14. Previous: 7th. oklahoma city thunder

The Thunder’s performance over the past three weeks — a 6-4 record with a plus-4.0 per 100 possession point differential — would look a lot better if it wasn’t for an embarrassing and uncharacteristic 18-point loss to the Washington Wizards. Before that, Oklahoma City had won seven of their last 10 games with their three losses coming by a total of eight points. On the season, they still have the best defense in the league by a fairly wide margin.

The elephant in the room is Russell Westbrook’s shooting numbers. Paul George has kept the offense afloat when Westbrook is out, and taken on a lot more responsibility even when he is on the floor. The balance has paid dividends for Oklahoma City but Westbrook’s catastrophic outside shooting — 23.8 percent on nearly five attempts per game, is lowering their ceiling. He’s shooting a career-best inside of three feet but his free throw rate is way down and if the Thunder are going to make a serious run, they need Westbrook to be a much more efficient creator of offense, even if his volume is down next to George.

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