5 Reasons why the Toronto Raptors are a legitimate title contender

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan

#4 Defence

Chicago Bulls v Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have done well to add some defensive steel to their play this season. Rookie small forward OG Anunoby, in particular, has done solidly in his role as a primarily defensive stopper. His whopping wingspan of 7'6" has helped him harass most perimeter stars that the Raptors have faced so far - MVP frontrunner James Harden only shot 8-25 when Toronto beat Houston early on in the season with the rookie guarding him.

Toronto has 3 top-20 players in defensive rating (Anunoby, point guard Delon Wright and Pascal Siakam).The whole team has bought into a defensive ideology, which has, in turn, enabled them to become a better team in transition defense - they now give up only 1.03 points per transition opportunity, as compared to 1.31 last season.

Recommended Video
tagline-video-image

Guess the Lakers players!

Quick Links