The power rankings are out and the Toronto Raptors are on the up and up.
| Publication | Overall Rank | Eastern Rank | Overall Change | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA.com | 8 | 3 | Up 1 | Pace: 96.0 (16) OffRtg: 108.1 (4) DefRtg: 103.5 (16) NetRtg: +4.7 (5) Lou Williams seems motivated when he plays in Atlanta. He totaled 48 points, shooting 11-for-16 from 3-point range, in two games there, and the Raptors went 3-1 against the Hawks. The offense came up empty in Houston on Saturday, but James Johnson’s move to the starting lineup four games ago has led to improved D against quality opponents. This week: @ NOP, @ DAL, vs. GSW, @ NYK |
| ESPN | 5 | 3 | No Change | The Raps’ 14 1/2 -game lead over Brooklyn in the Atlantic at the All-Star break was the third biggest division lead at that juncture in league history. Toronto’s first five-game road winning streak since 2001, meanwhile, has Team Canada on a 55-win pace. The first 50-win season in team history looms. |
| Hollinger | 6 | 3 | No Change | RAT 104.591, SOS .507, Mar +3.21 |
| USA Today | 5 | 2 | No Change | Winning a playoff series for the second time in franchise history is now expectation, not hope. |
| CBS Sports | 5 | 3 | Up 1 | They have one of the easiest schedules from now until the end of the season. A top three-seed seems all but assured, and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs isn’t out of the question. They’ve righted the ship. |
| Yahoo | 5 | 3 | Up 1 | Despite rumors about forward Terrence Ross being dangled and interest in Indiana’s David West, Toronto stayed pat at the trade deadline. |
| Sports Illustrated | 5 | 3 | Up 1 | Toronto’s new starting lineup of Jonas Valanciunas, Amir Johnson, James Johnson, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry—which it has deployed the last four games—owns a net rating of 17.2 and is allowing a ridiculous 78.5 points per 100 possessions. Don’t expect that five-man unit to go anywhere anytime soon. |
