Toronto Raptors: Analyzing some key statistics from November

Each month we take an analytical look at the stats and numbers posted by the Toronto Raptors in order to make sense of this team and how it’s trending.

The Toronto Raptors have not slowed down this month despite being hit by the injury bug. Even working first-time players into the lineup, the team rolled through November.

3(6)+1=19

The Toronto Raptors have proven that they win in bunches. In fact, their winning streak lengths have been incredibly predictable this season. That is until the Golden State Warriors came for a visit. Before their exciting game with the Warriors, the Raptors were in a repeating win pattern. Every single one of their first 18 victories came on a six-game streak. That pattern has been broken now, much to the dismay of bookmakers who adore predictability.

14.3 vs 14.5

Turnovers have been a problem for the Raptors thus far. Through November, they have found themselves among the middle of the pack in both committing turnovers and causing them. 14.3 turnovers rank them 19th in the NBA, a slot ahead of the reigning champion Warriors who have a turnover rate of 14.5. For a true comparison, it’s important to note the Raps’ opponents turnovers. When playing the Dinos, they lost the ball an average of 14.5 times a game. That put the Raptors in a tie for 14th in the league. As a whole, the team needs to be better at protecting the ball, but some have been greater offenders than others. Kyle Lowry leads the team with 2.7 per contest, followed by Kawhi Leonard with an even 2. That statistic, however, is misleading. Because those two players are the ones most often tasked with being the ball carrier, their likelihood is incrementally increased to lose possession. For a better point of reference, look no further than LeBron James. He leads the Los Angeles Lakers with 3.5 turnovers per game, which to his credit is down from last year’s 4.2. This season, it’s last year’s MVP, James Harden, who leads the league with 5.9. These numbers help diminish criticism of any player on Toronto’s roster, but as a whole, it is an area for improvement.

5.3 + 10.3 = 15.6

Kyle Lowry has been lauded for his play this season for good reason. His 5.3 field goals per game added to his 10.3 assists, mean he contributes to over 15 field goals each contest. These numbers are good enough to see Lowry hold the top spot for assists in the NBA. Even when he isn’t scoring, he’s creating. Lowry’s playmaking this season is uncharted territory for the 6’ point guard. His previous season high came in 2013-14. At age 27, he assisted on 7.4 makes. Now at age 32, he is showing that his game has another level.

70.4%

For all the praise that Lowry has received, so too has the big man from Cameroon. Pascal Siakam has been turning heads this season with his quickness, ball handling and statistics. He currently ranks #1 in the league in three offensive categories. He has a 2-point field goal percentage of 70.4. No other player in the association has even broken 70%. Siakam’s true shooting percentage is at 70.3. This is a measure of all shooting, 2-points (70.4%) 3-points (36.6%), and free throws (69.4%). Though Siakam is leading only by five-thousandths of a point at the end of November, he has the best offensive rating in the NBA. He is showing that per 100 possessions, Nick Nurse can breathe easy when the power forward is going to basket. This is without a doubt a breakout season for him and the numbers overwhelmingly support that.

stat source: basketball-reference.com