The power rankings are out and the Toronto Raptors are sliding down.
| Publication | Overall Rank | Eastern Rank | Overall Change | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA.com | 14 | 5 | -2 | Pace: 95.9 (18) OffRtg: 107.7 (3) DefRtg: 104.4 (22) NetRtg: +3.4 (9) The Raptors have got DeMar DeRozan (28.5 points on 52 percent shooting in four games last week) going, but have still lost eight of their last nine games because their defense has taken another step backward. With Washington and Milwaukee struggling, however, they still have a three-game edge for home-court advantage in the first round. This week: @ SAS, vs. MIA, vs. POR |
| ESPN | 14 | 5 | -4 | Atlanta in their first game after the All-Star break somehow launched the Raptors into a tailspin. They’re suddenly just 14-17 in 2015 after sporting the East’s best record on Dec. 31 and just endured two more agonizing losses at home to Cleveland and on the road in Oklahoma City. |
| Hollinger | 11 | 3 | No Change | RAT 102.069, MAR +3.37 |
| USA Today | 13 | 4 | -3 | Winning a playoff series for the second time in franchise history is now expectation, not hope. |
| CBS Sports | 13 | 5 | -5 | They have won one game in their last nine. Their defense is what happens when you leave Cool Whip out too long. Their offense has turned into “Please call a foul, please?” But they still have a good shot at making the second round. The East, everybody! |
| Yahoo | 13 | 4 | -8 | Despite rumors about forward Terrence Ross being dangled and interest in Indiana’s David West, Toronto stayed pat at the trade deadline. |
| Sports Illustrated | 14 | 5 | -2 | Drake’s diary likely has a lot of sad Raptors entries of late. Toronto has lost eight of its last nine games and slipped to No. 4 in the East. Making matters worse: The Raptors are dead last in defensive rating (107.8) over that span, giving us reason to believe this is more than just a rough patch in the regular season. |
