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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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SAN ANTONIO, TX – JANUARY 5: Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs laughs from the bench during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 5, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JANUARY 5: Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs laughs from the bench during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 5, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

24-17. Previous: 20th. San Antonio Spurs. 9. team. 29.

No team has been better than the San Antonio Spurs over the last three weeks. Over that span, their season-long mark for defensive efficiency has improved by nearly two points per 100 possessions, climbing from 23rd in the league to 17th. Offense hasn’t really been a problem for the Spurs most of this season and simply becoming an average defensive team will likely be enough to get them firmly into the playoffs in the Western Conference, and make them a tough first-round out.

On offense, DeMar DeRozan continues to lead the way, as he’s done all season. Over the past 10 games, DeRozan is averaging 20.4 drives per game, on which he’s shooting 54.1 percent and tacking on another 3.1 assists per game. For as much as his game is aligned for it’s archaic shot selection, he’s continued to develop every season and is reaching new heights as a playmaker and shot-creator.

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