NBA Power Rankings: Heavy’s Top 10 for December 19

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5. Toronto

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Record: 19-8

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Last week: 5th

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Sandwiched in between road wins over Philadelphia and Orlando was a home loss to the Hawks Friday night, with Atlanta scoring 125 points in a game it needed to win to avoid drifting further back in the Eastern Conference standings. Dwane Casey's team is still tops in the NBA in offensive efficiency, but the loss to Atlanta serves as a reminder of the works that needs to be done defensively. Toronto's ranked 21st in the NBA in defensive rating, and on Friday Atlanta was led offensively by Dwight Howard (27 points on 10-for-13 shooting, 15 rebounds) and Dennis Schröder (24 points, six assists). The Hawks finished the game with shooting percentages of 62.5 (true shooting) and 59.9 (effective FG), and as the Raptors look to put themselves in position to dethrone Cleveland in the East they have to tighten things up defensively. (Getty)

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