"At the very least, they could be a gutsy and gritty squad fighting their way into the playoffs. But even with that in mind, it was a thought that garnered very little confidence. I can recall seeing the Raptors viewed an end-of-the-standings play-in team (or barely at all), especially when looking back at those preseason ESPN predictions - not even good enough to surpass the Chicago Bulls."
"As of now, the Toronto Raptors rank fourth in the NBA in defense while sitting 19th in offense. Raptors' defense has largely been their main catalyst for success There's definitely a lot of work to do to improve that offensive ranking, but they compensate for it with their hustle on defense. Many guys across the roster who go out there with active hands, playing physical, and embracing that intense, fast-paced, and high-energy brand of basketball that's become the Raptors' signature."
The Toronto Raptors have surpassed low preseason expectations and improved drastically from an 8-26 start in 2025 to a record that positions them as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Eastern standings remain tight, with significant movement possible among the sixth through eighth seeds. Defensive performance fuels the team's success: the Raptors rank fourth in the NBA in defense while ranking 19th in offense. The roster emphasizes active hands, physical play, and a fast, high-energy defensive identity, with Collin Murray-Boyles, Jamal Shead, and Scottie Barnes leading the defensive charge. Offensive improvement remains a priority.
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