This week’s power rankings round-up sees NBA.com and ESPN treat the Raptors harshly, but reviews remain generally positive in context of a weak East.
| Publication | Overall Rank | Eastern Rank | Overall Change | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA.com | 15 | 6 | – | Pace: 95.6 (20) OffRtg: 108.0 (3) DefRtg: 105.0 (25) NetRtg: +3.1 (10) Games against the Knicks and Lakers in the last eight days have allowed the Raptors to clinch the Atlantic Division for the second straight year, but not climb out of the bottom two in defensive efficiency in the month of March. They’re on the road for most of the next two weeks, but Monday’s game against the Rockets is their last against a team over .500. This week: vs. HOU, @ MIN, @ BKN, vs. BOS |
| ESPN | 14 | 4 | -2 | Does anything else matter in Toronto right now besides nursing Kyle Lowry back to something resembling full strength? The ailing All-Star ranks as one of just four players this season (alongside Paul Millsap, Trevor Ariza and Josh Smith) whose shooting percentage goes down in each successive quarter. |
| Hollinger | 14 | 4 | – | RAT 100.749, MAR +2.95 |
| USA Today | 12 | 4 | +2 | They won the Atlantic Division for the second straight year, third time in team’s 20-year history |
| CBS Sports | 11 | 5 | – | The Raptors have the fifth-worst defense per possession since the All-Star break. They’re 19-22 since Jan. 1. Their best player, Kyle Lowry, is injured and can’t get healthy. They struggled with the Lakers for two-plus quarters Friday. They clinched the Atlantic Division before the last week of March. That’s the East! |
| Yahoo | 12 | 4 | +1 | The Raptors are trying to hang on to the fourth seed in the East and the struggling Wizards are doing a great job of helping them out. |
| Sports Illustrated | 12 | 4 | – | Lou Williams starred in a Drake commercial last week, but he’s even better when starring for the Raptors. Toronto improved to 19-7 when Lou Will scores at least 18 points last week. |
| Yahoo | 12 | 4 | +1 | The Raptors are trying to hang on to the fourth seed in the East and the struggling Wizards are doing a great job of helping them out. |
| SB Nation | 11 | 4 | +2 | The Raptors dropped two of their three games last week, beating up on the lowly Lakers for their lone victory. On the plus side, they’ve clinched the Atlantic Division “title” again, well ahead of their competition. |
