Three in a row for Toronto – Behind the Numbers

Toronto Raptors will be participating in the NBA Global Games in London, England on Thursday January 14th, 2016 vs. the Orlando Magic. It will mark the third time that the Raptors have participated in an NBA game as a part of the NBA Global Games.

The Raptors are heading into the game in London having played some very effective basketball, earning results and boosting the team’s confidence. Let’s take a look at how the team has done recently during their current three game winning streak, and their recent overall play:

• The Raptors are currently in first place in the Atlantic Division and second in the Eastern Conference, with a 24-15 overall record, including a record of 7-3 in their last ten games.
• The current three game win streak has resulted in holding their opponent to 95 points or less in each game, and each of these those wins have been on the road. Toronto is averaging a thirteen point margin of victory in these three games, compared to their 3.5 point margin of victory on the season.
• In four of the twelve quarters through their three straight wins, the Raptors have held their opponents to 19 points or less in those frames.
• Raptors have had 3 different leading scorers each game:
  Jonas Valanciunas (22 pts @ Nets – Jan. 6, 2016)
  DeMar DeRozan (35 pts @ Wizards – Jan. 8, 2016)
  Kyle Lowry (25 pts @ 76ers – Jan. 9, 2016)

With DeMarre Carroll out indefinitely after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee (which has been plaguing him most of the season), James Johnson has stepped in as the starter to help set the tone early defensively for the Raptors. Statistically, Johnson’s numbers don’t jump out at you in the box score, but his presence is certainly being felt, and he played very solid, specifically in the Raptors wins vs. the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards.

• @ Brooklyn – Jan. 6, 2016: 27 minutes, 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks
• @ Washington – Jan. 8, 2016: 22 minutes, 8 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block

Bismack Biyombo held down the middle while Jonas Valanciunas was recovering from his broken hand (courtesy of Kobe Bryant), and posted some impressive numbers defensively, including a 20 rebound effort vs. the Mavericks on Dec. 22nd, 2015 – which was the start of the Raptors’ current 7 win – 3 loss stretch over their last ten games.

Despite Jonas Valanciunas missing 17 games with his fractured metacarpal, he’s back in the saddle and is back to playing at a high level. He has led the Raptors in rebounds in five of the team’s last eight games since his return on Dec. 28th, 2015 vs. the Chicago Bulls, and as mentioned earlier he led the team in scoring against the Nets on January 6th, 2016 with 22 points, while also collecting 11 rebounds, earning his seventh double-double of the season (in 22 games played).

Including the game vs. the Orlando Magic in London, England the Raptors have eight games remaining in the month of January for 2016, but after the London game their final seven games of the month are all at home. This is a welcomed home stretch for the Raptors after playing 22 of their first 39 games of the season on the road.

Will the Raptors’ upcoming home stretch, and return to more of a routine, result in continued success? As long as they continue to play the style of defense that Coach Dwane Casey is looking for, and continue to share the basketball offensively, they will have an excellent opportunity to keep adding to the win column.