The Toronto Raptors are about to embark on a revealing stretch of games that could define their season. With a current win rate hovering around 60%, they’re set to face some of the NBA's elite teams over the next three weeks, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets.
So far, Toronto has struggled against the league's top-tier teams, holding a 1-9 record against the NBA’s best five. However, they’ve shown they can compete, boasting a 3-0 record against Cleveland, a team tied with Denver for fifth overall.
The upcoming game against the Thunder will be a significant test, even though Oklahoma City will be missing MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and several other key players. Despite these absences, the Thunder have proven formidable, recently handing Cleveland its first loss in the James Harden Era.
On the Raptors' side, Scottie Barnes will return to action after missing the previous game for personal reasons. His defensive prowess was key in their last matchup against the Thunder, where he delivered crucial plays, including a late-game block on Chet Holmgren.
Immanuel Quickley has been a standout performer, especially in the recent win against Milwaukee, where Jakob Poeltl's presence made a notable difference. Quickley thrives alongside Poeltl, averaging 18 points and 6.4 assists when they share the court. However, Poeltl will sit out the Thunder game as he continues to recover fully, preparing instead for the challenge against San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama.
The Spurs, leading the league with 44 wins, present another tough opponent. Meanwhile, Detroit, who the Raptors will face twice in March, has a slightly better winning percentage.
Toronto's road performance has been impressive, with six wins in their last seven away games. They’re currently eight games over .500 on the road for the first time since April 2022.
The Thunder have shown resilience without Gilgeous-Alexander, with players like Jared McCain stepping up. McCain, a savvy trade acquisition from Philadelphia, has averaged 11.3 points and shot nearly 48% from three-point range in his short stint with the team.
As the Raptors navigate this challenging schedule, their ability to rise to the occasion against top competition will be crucial. Fans will be eager to see if Toronto can leverage this opportunity to solidify their standing and make a statement in the league.