The Toronto Raptors have simply been on fire the past three weeks, and are now on a nine-game win streak. Unbelievably, this hot run has them closing in on the Cleveland Cavaliers, and it's not unreasonable to suggest they may be able to overtake them for the East's top seed sometime soon.
Heading into the year, the expectations for the Raptors had fallen a bit. After two-straight solid campaigns that ended in early playoff exits, this team was seemingly forgotten among the Eastern Conference elite. However, the run they're on has reminded people just how dangerous this team can be -- both on the road and at home.
To start this run, they had to win four games in a row on the road. Sure, the teams weren't anything to be afraid of that they played, but they got the job done. Now in the midst of a seven-game homestand, they haven't let up even one night, blowing out both the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers. And the road doesn't get too much more difficult any time sooner, which is why their chase on the Heat is so realistic before the All-Star break.
Take a look at their next seven games:
- vs. New York Knicks
- vs. Detroit Pistons
- at Denver Nuggets
- at Phoenix Suns
- at Portland Trail Blazers
- at Detroit Pistons
- at Minnesota Timberwolves
There's no reason why the 30-15 Raptors can't win almost, if not all of those games if they keep playing the way they have. The 31-12 Cavaliers hold just a two-game lead, and don't have as easy of a road in their next seven playing teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics. Essentially, Toronto has the ideal situation to even the gap and even take over the No. 1 spot in the East.
As a whole, the Raptors simply have been playing exceptionally well and consistently.
Yes, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry are leading the way most nights scoring-wise, but they've received big contributions from Jonas Valanciunas and Luis Scola. Even the bench has been giving them some huge nights from guys like Cory Joseph, Bismack Biyombo, Patrick Peterson and Terrence Ross, who, in particular, is on a fantastic five-game stretch of scoring 12-plus.
If this keeps going and the team stays on fire like this, the Raptors could become a serious threat in the East, one every team will have to worry about.
