"Now, in December, that script has largely been flipped, with a discouraging 4-7 record to date. Many critics pointed out that coming out of their solid November run, the level of competition the Raptors faced wasn't quite the elite of the NBA, which explained why Toronto was able to rack up those wins. However, even during that November stretch, there were some very close encounters against teams they should have handled convincingly."
"And that's where some of these December losses reveal a more telling picture. Before this hectic December, I believed the Raptors needed to make the most of their tough schedule to prove doubters wrong and warrant more respect. Instead, with every disappointing loss, the opposite has happened. Let's just look at the Raptors' last five games, where they've gone 2-3. They've scrapped through gritty wins over Milwaukee and Miami, but suffered tough losses against Boston, Brooklyn, and Washington."
The Toronto Raptors began the season with a dominant opener but then endured consecutive losses before a strong November run that produced a 12-3 record. December performance has declined, producing a 4-7 record and exposing questions about the quality of earlier opponents and the team's ability to decisively beat comparable teams. Recent results include a 2-3 stretch with wins over Milwaukee and Miami and losses to Boston, Brooklyn, and Washington. Injuries to RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl have highlighted needs for more balanced scoring and dependable center play to improve late-game execution.
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