The Toronto Raptors have not lost a game since January 4th. The team is 10-2 in January and Coach Casey looks like a lock for coach of the month. Even without DeMarre Carroll, the team is still humming.
The Vince Carter-less 2001-2002 Toronto Raptors reached a meaningless 9 game win streak toward the end of the seas0n. A classic late season push from an underachieving basketball team. It usually happens, and it gives fans false hope of their teams the following year, just look at the Utah Jazz.
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After a win against the Washington Wizards, the 2015-2016 Raptors have equalled their franchise record and have done so in convincing fashion. The domination seen by this team has been a welcome sign. They have played weaker opponents, but they are the 5th best team in the league, most opponents are weaker. They have taken care of business and eclipsed the old record by examining some stats.
The #Raptors stats during their current 9-game win streak are better than what they posted during the 2002 streak pic.twitter.com/a6fN5v5EcS
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) January 27, 2016
Thanks to Sportsnet for the summary, we can see they are outperforming the older team’s record in all but opponent’s field goal percentage. Given the NBA’s different style of play today, we can forgive this one. The points per game differential alone would rank above Golden State’s 12.5 second place mark on the season.
It has been very fun month to watch with the trip to London and extended home trip, and there have not been too many flukey wins in this win streak. The two closest games were against the Magic in London, and a solid game against the Boston Celtics about a week ago. In most games you can see the usual tug of war between two teams in the early going, but the Raptors will always pull away as the game goes on. They have outclassed each of their opponents and many ways. Of course, you have to hand it to DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and *Terrence Ross*.
Over the last month, the Raptors have outscored the opposition by 118 points.
— Chris Black (@DownToBlack) January 27, 2016
+122 with Ross on the floor.
-4 with Ross on the bench.
Wow.
Terrence Ross has been the third fiddle behind Lowry and DeRozan. His shooting has been out of this world as he is making it rain on spot ups, pull ups and he is even taking it to the basket more and more. The other supporting star is Jonas Valanciunas as he gobbles up rebounds and has been playing very stellar defence lately. Tip your cap to both those fellas. The team as a whole has been clicking, if one man doesn’t show up, someone behind them will, it’s been a treat.
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With two games left at home on the stand before another road trip, enjoy this time while we still can. I guess we will have to come to terms with the team (probably) losing in the future, but for now, there is no end in sight.
*knocks on wood*