If the Toronto Raptors have their sights set on tanking, they are doing a pretty good job so far.
Toronto has lost 4 games in a row and 6 of their last 7 games.
Obviously, injuries have derailed the Raptors season.
When it looked like Toronto was building some momentum and pushing for the Play-In Tournament, they lost Scottie Barnes to a hand injury. He is likely to be out for the rest of the season following surgery.
Then Toronto lost starting center Jakob Poeltl to a hand injury as well. He had surgery too and there is no timetable for his return.
Players such as Gary Trent Jr., Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Bruce Brown Jr., DJ Carton and Chris Boucher have all missed some time as well.
Therefore, it has been an uphill battle for the shorthanded Raptors.
As a result, they have been one of the worst teams in the league. At least that’s what Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports thinks. He put out his latest NBA power rankings and has the Raptors dead last at No. 30:
“Toronto flirted with a major upset on Monday, but failed to close things out against the Nuggets as they lost their fourth straight. It sounds like Jakob Poeltl may not return this season, leaving plenty of minutes for newly-extended Kelly Olynyk, who averaged 16 points, six rebounds and five assists for the week on 41% 3-point shooting.”
CBS Sports ranking harsh on Raptors
It is quite surprising that the Raptors are all the way at the bottom in this power rankings.
Yes, Toronto has done a lot of losing but they have been competitive during their road trip. They nearly stole a game in Phoenix and then the undermanned Raptors almost upset a fully healthy Denver Nuggets team.
Having the Raptors at No. 30 does not seem right, given the injuries they have had to deal with.
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