The Toronto Raptors have crafted a distinctive offensive style that's turning heads in the NBA. Historically, Toronto faced criticism for lacking a true go-to scorer.
Enter Brandon Ingram, who has certainly helped fill that void, but it’s far from a solo act. The Raptors have embraced a pass-heavy system, sharing the scoring load across a quartet of reliable options.
Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley are all averaging at least 17 points per game. This makes Toronto the only team in the league with such a balanced scoring lineup.
Now, if you glance at the overall team stats, they might not blow you away-ranking 23rd in points per game and 25th in three-point percentage according to Basketball-Reference. But this balanced approach has been pivotal in masking some weaknesses and driving the Raptors’ success this season.
Toronto’s offense is a bit of a puzzle. It can seem cramped due to limited floor spacing, but they counteract this with relentless ball movement. Ranking ninth in passes made per game and third in both assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio, they thrive on keeping the ball moving.
At the heart of this pass-first strategy are Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes, and Jamal Shead. They lead the team in passes and assists per game, with Quickley defying his ball-stopper reputation by ranking 13th in the league for total passes per game.
The Raptors also have one of the closest average field goal attempts in the NBA, at just 13.6 feet from the basket. Without consistent three-point shooting, they create space through crisp ball movement, which bends defenses and opens driving lanes, simulating the spacing usually provided by elite shooters. This allows them to effectively attack the paint and finish inside.
The big question is, can this approach hold up in the playoffs? We often hear that playoff basketball is a different beast.
Regular-season strategies don’t always translate when defenses tighten and physicality ramps up. The Raptors of 2014-2018 learned this the hard way, relying heavily on isolation plays that fizzled in the postseason.
So, will a balanced, pass-heavy offense fare better? Recent history offers mixed insights.
Last season’s champion, Oklahoma City, was near the bottom in passes made per game, while their Finals opponent, Indiana Pacers, ranked second and also had a balanced scoring profile. Going back to 2022, the Golden State Warriors, who ranked second in passes, claimed the title.
There's no one-size-fits-all blueprint for playoff success. Toronto's current strategy has seen some recent success, but it's not a guaranteed formula.
Some contenders thrive on movement and shared scoring, while others rely on isolation and shot creation. The Raptors will need to prove that their balanced approach can withstand the rigors of postseason play.