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NBA Power Rankings: Impact of the 2015 Trade Deadline

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 22, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) looks on before the game against the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) looks on before the game against the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Raptors 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Raptors 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Toronto Raptors

Previous: No. 6

Record: 37-20

Last Week: 1-2

Key Acquisitions: N/A

The Toronto Raptors have been up-and-down in three games since the All-Star Break. Their losses can be chalked up to overconfidence in a collapse against the New Orleans Pelicans may seem.

Two straight losses may concern you, but Toronto is still 11-5 in its past 16 games.

The Raptors are 21-9 at home and 16-10 on the road, which is a very strong balance for a postseason team. They’re also an explosive offensive team that’s proven capable of locking opponents down defensively.

A recent collapse against the Pelicans has some concerned:

It’s not always pretty, but the Raptors tend to get the job done. This was a rare exception.

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan make up an elite backcourt, while Jonas Valanciunas is beginning to hit its stride. Louis Williams is a favorite for Sixth Man of the Year and James Johnson is an incredibly underrated asset.

It won’t be easy to overcome a lack of interior offense, but Toronto has the assets to be a contender.

Next: Solidifying the Second Unit