NBA Power Rankings week 10: OKC Thunder vault up ladder

Toronto Raptors:

Offense: (109.0) – 15th
Defense: (104.0) – 2nd
Net: (plus +5.0) – 7th

Games Week 10 (1-3): Won at Celtics: 113-97, Lost to Pacers 115-120 (OT), Celtics 102-118, Thunder 97-98
Games Week 11 (3 games): Tues vs Cavaliers | Thurs at Heat | Sat at Nets

Tough week for the defending champions who finally got their home Christmas Day match only to have to play a team with four days rest. Meanwhile, Toronto had come back from down 30 to beat the Mavericks on Sunday, played an overtime match on Monday and then had to tip-off on Wednesday at noon no less.  OUCH.

Head Coach Nick Nurse who leads the league (both coaches and players) for technical fouls this season also wasn’t happy with the calls (or lack thereof) this week. Following the Pacers’ loss in overtime Nurse went on the court yelling at Mike Irvin, in particular, loosening his tie and looking like he was ready to fight the ref!

In the second Celtics match in Boston, the officials gave Boston a 36-17 differential in free throws despite both teams attacking the paint and the Raptors scoring there more frequently. The Thunder also got the advantage (23 to 12) but the bigger concern was the Chris Paul play which appeared to be a travel or double dribble that went uncalled and his ensuring 2-pointer ended up being the difference in the match. Hey, these situations happen and it’s probably more of a talking point due to all the injuries.

Pascal Siakam is the main loss but the timing of losing Norman Powell and Marc Gasol is equally disappointing as both were playing the best ball of their tenure in Toronto.

Recently, I noted the luck Milwaukee has experienced this season while the opposite is the case for the Raptors. Through 33 games the Raptors have lost 113 games to injury.