OKC Thunder: National and TI editor power rankings week 8 – hot takes in top tier

Other than the Warriors who I’ve yet to see fully bring their best defensive efforts the one team I know has the potential to be top 3 to 5 on both sides of the court is Toronto.

Whenever pundits and fans point to an “easy schedule” I have to balk because of the number of back to back games they’ve played (5), their record against the West (8-2) and the fact in the second games of back to back series they are 5-0 and Kawhi hasn’t played in one of those games!

Big test this week as the Raptors head out on a four game Western road trip with a back to back set versus the Clippers and Warriors followed by the Blazers and Nuggets.

The bench who was the talk of the NBA last season is just starting to find their rhythm and if C.J. Miles ever finds his perimeter stroke they become even more dangerous.

While everyone discusses trades, if you’re Masai Ujuiri it might be wise to leave well enough alone. They do have an open roster spot and need some additional rebounding help – but that can be addressed closer to the deadline or prior to playoff rosters being finalized via a veteran who gets waived.

Toronto Raptors:

Offensive Rating: 4th
Defensive Rating: 7th
Net Differential: 2nd

Points per game: 115.4 (5th)
Offensive field goal efficiency: 48.3 percent (2nd)
Opponent points per game: 107.8 (7th)
Opponent field goal efficiency: 44.2 (6th)

3-point efficiency: 34.3 percent (22nd)
Opponent 3-point efficiency: 33.5 percent (8th)

Record: 1st in EC and NBA
Home: 11-4
Road: 10-3
Back to back sets: 5

• Second game record: 5-0

Versus the East: 13-5
West: 8-2 (best in EC)
Week eight 1-3:  Lost to Nuggets, @Nets, Bucks, beat 76ers
On tap for week 9: vs. @Clippers, @Warriors, @Blazers, @Nuggets