{"id":28689,"date":"2020-02-03T13:03:10","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T18:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=28689"},"modified":"2020-02-03T13:03:10","modified_gmt":"2020-02-03T18:03:10","slug":"the-toronto-raptors-are-the-hottest-team-in-the-nba-right-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/02\/03\/the-toronto-raptors-are-the-hottest-team-in-the-nba-right-now\/","title":{"rendered":"The Toronto Raptors Are the Hottest Team in the NBA Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Toronto Raptors<\/a> are the defending champs<\/a> and the hottest team in the league right now. Every challenge that has been brought forth to them so far has been conquered. Last year they had to win a tough Game 7 at home against the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> and Kawhi Leonard’s<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0shot heard around the world carried them through. Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a><\/strong> was in front of them in the Eastern Conference Finals and the eventual regular-season MVP was no match for them.<\/p>\n

In the Finals, they had to dethrone the two-time champs in the Golden State Warriors<\/a> and they were able to do it. This season they lost their best player in Kawhi Leonard and they haven’t lost a beat. Right now they are second in the East and on a 10-game winning streak. The Toronto Raptors look like one of the best teams in the league and will be a nightmare to face in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

No NBA Team is Hotter than the Toronto Raptors<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Pascal Siakam<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Raptors knew they were a team with the pieces to translate to success even though they lost Kawhi Leonard. The play of Pascal Siakam<\/strong><\/a> is one of the greatest stories in the league this year. Siakam is an All-Star starter this year after taking the G League route to the NBA. He translates to how the NBA is played today. Although he is a big man, he has the ability to bring the ball up the court and start the offense, create space with his three-point shooting ability and he has a quick first step that allows him to get to the hole.<\/p>\n

He knows how to create easy baskets. He is the Raptors leading scorer and 15th in points per game in the NBA with 23.8 points per contest. This is a breakout year for Siakam and he has been able to lead the Raptors to sustained success this year.<\/p>\n

Kyle Lowry<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the most consistent players year in and year out has been Kyle Lowry<\/strong><\/a>. He doesn’t get as much recognition as top point guards like Russell Westbrook<\/a><\/strong> and Damian Lillard<\/a><\/strong> but what he does for this team is invaluable. He is a tough scrappy guard that doesn’t back down to anybody. The Raptors record ever since he joined the team in the 2012-13 season is 390-233. That is a 62.6 win percentage. Lowry is a born winner.<\/p>\n

Counting this season he has been an All-Star for six years in a row. For an undersized point guard out of North Philly, he has quite a rap sheet. Toronto will go as far as he goes. He is the engine that makes this team go.<\/p>\n

How Far the Toronto Raptors Can Go this Season<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If the Raptors are to go anywhere this season it will take a collective team effort on both sides of the ball as they have done all season. Veterans like Serge Ibaka<\/a><\/strong> and Fred VanVleet<\/a><\/strong> will be key players to add to the play of Siakam and Lowry. The development of OG Anunoby<\/a><\/strong> on the wing will be key also. The 2017 first-round pick is having the best year of his career. Toronto is an all right offensive team as they are 13th in offensive rating. On the other hand, they are a good defensive team.<\/p>\n

They are second in defensive rating in the league. They have proven they can defend the best players in the conference like Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid<\/a><\/strong> (remember the zero-point game<\/a>?). This team has just a good a chance as any team to make it to the Finals.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>