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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 5: Damian Lillard #0 and Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers high five during the game against the Houston Rockets on January 5 , 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 5: Damian Lillard #0 and Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers high five during the game against the Houston Rockets on January 5 , 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) /

team. 34. . 24-17. Previous: 11th. Portland Trail Blazers. 15

The Trail Blazers have continued winning games, especially over the past few weeks, but in less than inspiring fashion. Across this 7-4 stretch, their per 100 possession point differential was just 0.5. Across the entire season, it’s at 1.2, behind the Lakers, Hornets, Rockets, Clippers, Jazz and Pelicans. They’ve won two more games than we’d expect for a team with their point differential this season and that two-game margin is the difference between being tied for sixth in the West (where they are now) and being tied for eighth with Lakers.

The Blazers have been very good in close games, with an 11-8 record in games that were within five points at any point in the final five minutes. That solid clutch record might help them secure a better playoff seed but it’s also an indicator of a team that may not be able to sustain the same performance across a larger sample, like multiple playoff series.

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