SUBJECT: Raptors (27-10)

TRACKING: 1/8-1/13 • @ BKN, V. MIA, V. CLE, V. GSW

Halfway thru the season season, Toronto is looking really, really strong. It's not that we haven't been here before - TOR is traditionally a tough regular-season team - but the way they're winning games is a bit different than previous years.

With All-Stars DeMar DeRozan & Kyle Lowry continuing to pace the charge, Coach Dwane Casey has implemented a more fluid offensive system predicated on ball movement + "equal opportunity" scoring. Most of the main rotation players seem to have some sort of a green light, are confident taking & making shots.

This week will keep track of TOR's bench play (tied for in the league in bench ppg: 38.8), with focus on young guards Delon Wright + Fred VanVleet.

Also, this week will keep track of how well TOR is able to defend + rebound & if DeMar DeRozan can keep up his red-hot scoring (34.2 ppg last week, reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week!).

It's a HUGE 4-game slate for TOR, who faces Cleveland & Golden State back to back to end the week. Are they real contenders or is it just the same old Raptors not able to push the button v. the league's most elite?

These games won't tell the entire story but serves as an important precursor as we the playoffs near.

Prediction: 3-1

TRACKING GOALS

D. DeRozan: avg. 30+ ppg
3-1 record
10+ triples in all 4 games
Outrebound opponent in 2/4 games
20+ dimes in 2/4 games
Projected Top DOG of the Week: DeMar DeRozan
Projected Star UnderDOG of the Week: Delon Wright