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Toronto Raptors: 15 takeaways from their 15-game winning streak

By Duncan Smith

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 10: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during player introductions prior to an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena on February 10, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 10: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during player introductions prior to an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena on February 10, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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15. Nick Nurse

One day they’ll build a statue for this man outside Scotiabank Arena. They should also build one outside the Eaton Center and somewhere prominent on Yonge Street. As a rookie head coach, Nick Nurse took the Toronto Raptors to the NBA Finals and continues to find ways to get every last bit of potential out of his players.

Nurse is the man who activated the 1-2-1-1 zone down 30 points (Athletic, paywall) with two minutes left in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks. Perhaps no coach is more willing to simply pressure and force you to get uncomfortable while making your life on the court a living hell in an effort to pry victory away than Nurse.

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14. Who needs rebounding when you never miss?

In the past 15 games, the Raptors have been a poor rebounding team. On the season, their rebounding percentage is just 49.3 percent, but over the span of this 15-game run their rebounding percentage is a mediocre 48.8 percent. That rate places them 22nd in the NBA.

Should the Toronto Raptors be concerned?

Probably not if they’re just going to hit every shot. Over this same stretch their effective field goal percentage is a league-leading 58.6 percent and their true shooting is similarly at the top of the NBA at 61.6 percent. The gap between the Raptors and the second-place Utah Jazz in true shooting is the same as between the Jazz and the 11th-place Dallas Mavericks.

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