DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors signals to teammates during the first half of an NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Air Canada Centre on December 5, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo : Getty Images/Vaughn Ridley)
The Toronto Raptors are having their best season in recent years as they top the National Basketball Association in terms of offense, leading the league in offensive rating by scoring 113.5 points per 100 possessions. Though they are behind the Cleveland Cavaliers in win-loss record, the Raptors are the favorites to win it all in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto won 22 of its 32 games this season, 2.5 games behind the Cavaliers, but the Raptors currently have the best chance to represent the East in the NBA finals in 2017 after earning a 48 percent rating in ESPN's Basketball Power Index, just behind West powerhouses Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs. Meanwhile, defending champs Cavaliers are at fifth place with a BPI of 5.9, .8 points behind Toronto's BPI.
There is a certain anomaly in the Raptors' offensive dominance as they are in the 20th spot in terms of three-point frequency despite the modernization of the league because of the three-point shot. Toronto is also 19th in three-point attempts per game but compensates it by its field goal percentage which ranks third in the league, also just behind the Warriors and the Spurs.
The Raptors also have one of the best frontcourt duo in the league in Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Lowry has grown into a better decision maker and a sniper from deep as he hits 44 percent of his three-pointers compared to his 36 percent career shooting from the three-point land. Meanwhile, DeRozan has pushed his usage rate from 29 percent to 34 percent this year and that translated to Toronto's early success, ESPN reported.
The Lowry-DeRozan duo are also responsible for 49.6 points of Toronto's 110.8 points per game. Although the Raptors resides at 23rd and 27th places in the rebounding and assists department, respectively, they generate points from steals and from fast breaks with a league-leading 9.3 steals per game.
If Toronto's success continues, it is already assured that they will see action in the playoffs but the Cavaliers are the biggest threats they will have to overcome if they want to have a crack at the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Watch the video below to see the Raptors' latest game against the Warriors:
