They were ranked fifth in the 2014-15 NBA season in points per game in bench scoring. What might surprise people was that the Raptors were 26th in bench scoring that year. NBA All-Star Game and Eastern Conference Finals Appearance The Raptors had a very disappointing 2015 NBA postseason and were looking to bounce back. For the first time in NBA history, the NBA All-Star Game was hosted outside of the United States. Toronto also got a first-round draft pick, which they used to select OG Anunoby in 2017. Just before the season began, the Raptors got a steal by trading Vazquez to get Norman Powell. Unfortunately for Toronto, then Brooklyn Nets player Paul Pierce blocked the shot and ended the Raptors season.īesides winning the championship in 2019, this was probably the biggest year of the Raptors franchise. It went to seven games and the Raptors had a chance to win the game with a Lowry layup. The Raptors gave a valiant effort in the first round against the Brooklyn Nets.
At the time it was a big deal as the Raptors had only won the Atlantic Division once prior in the 2006-07 NBA season. They were good enough to win the 2013-14 Atlantic Division banner. The Raptors ranked ninth in points per game and tenth in defensive ratings. He also tied a career-high with 4.8 rebounds per game. These were all career-highs at the time for Lowry. He had career-highs with 17.9 points and 7.4 assists, and 1.6 steals in the 2013-14 NBA season. At the time, these were all career-highs for DeRozan.
He averaged 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, four assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Toronto Raptors Surprising 2013-14 NBA SeasonĭeRozan continued his impressive start to the season. However, for some reason, that trade sparked the Raptors’ first playoff appearance since 2008. This might surprise people as both DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry ended up with much more successful NBA careers than Gay. Rudy Gay was seen as the Raptors’ best player when he was traded.