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NBA Power Rankings Week 5: Favorites keep falling, champs keep climbing

By Jack Simone

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 17: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks wait for a free throw during a game at Fiserv Forum on November 17, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 17: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks wait for a free throw during a game at Fiserv Forum on November 17, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NBA; NBA Power Rankings
Fred VanVleet #23 celebrates with Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

NBA Power Rankings: 21. Toronto Raptors (8-9)

Rank last week: 18

Last week: (1-2) – @ POR (L), @ UTA (L), @ SAC (L)

Offensive rating: 109.4 (8th in NBA)

Defensive rating: 108.6 (20th in NBA)

For a stretch, the Toronto Raptors looked like a legitimate play-in team at the very least. Now, things have started to slow down for them, as they have slipped to below .500.

Pascal Siakam’s return hasn’t exactly led to an improvement in play, but he’s been pretty good over the past week. He’s averaging around 19 points on pretty solid shooting splits.

However, rookie Scottie Barnes, who looked amazing to start the season, has not been playing well. He’s putting up 10 points per game in the past week, but his efficiency has been ugly.

Toronto managed to beat the Kings, but losses to the Jazz and Trail Blazers put them at 1-2 on the week. Things don’t get much easier, either, as they have to take on the Warriors to begin next week.

Season outlook: Toronto has a great coach in Nick Nurse and quality players across the board. They should be in the hunt for a play-in spot, but they likely won’t end up making the playoffs. Toronto will probably end up near the end of the lottery at the draft.