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NBA Power Rankings 18: A new top team as the playoffs approach

By Corey Rausch

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks in reverse to the bench during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images )
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks in reverse to the bench during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images ) /
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(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

team. 81. . 25-35. Previous: 21st. Toronto Raptors. 22

Last Week: Beat Oklahoma City Thunder 112-106, Beat Brooklyn Nets 114-103, Lost to New York Knicks 120-103

This Week: 4/26 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 4/27 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 4/29 at Denver Nuggets, 5/1 at Utah Jazz

The Toronto (Tampa) Raptors continue to linger on the periphery of the playoff picture but that seems to be a formality at this point. The Raptors are getting healthy and will be better next season. But the loss to the New York Knicks is an indicator of what is to come down the stretch, where the Raptors have one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league.

Much of the worry regarding the issues between coach Nick Nurse and Pascal Siakam will be quieted with more winning weeks. Especially when Siakam posts a line of 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He has looked much better in recent weeks as the roster around him starts to get healthier.

On the quieter side of things, the addition of Khem Birch is paying dividends. For the first time all season, the Raptors have an actual center on the roster, which has been integral in seasons past for their dominant defense to work. In six games with the Raptors, Birch is averaging 8.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in just 25.2 minutes per game. In the small sample size (two weeks), the Raptors have climbed back up to top-10 in defensive rating. If the Raptors can ever string some wins together, they finally are starting to look like a tougher out in the first round.