Much-improved Terrence Ross helps lead Toronto Raptors' early surge

By Peter Wells:

Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Prior to a nail-bitting defeat to drop to 0-2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night, the Toronto Raptors were in red hot form. 

And in spite of a second defeat early in this new season to the defending champs, the Raptors are re-asserting their authority as the biggest threat to Cleveland in the East. 

The Cavaliers have great chemistry, and their improvement has not gone unnoticed as they still hold onto the best record in the East, with just a solitary defeat - result pending against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. 

The Raptors however, have improved on a record setting season themselves, and a huge reason for that is a key player off of their bench.

Terrence Ross will not garner the same plaudits as the Guard duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan - the latter who has elevated his game beyond just All-Star level. But the back-up Shooting Guard/Small Forward is showing the sort of offensive surge not seen from the Raptors bench since Lou Williams left for the Los Angeles Lakers at the end of the 2014-15 season. 

Williams was the 6th man of the year when he left Toronto, and the current play of Ross is certainly form befitting of that award, should he keep it up.

Ross has shown throughout his career, a knack of scoring in bunches, with good three-point shooting and excellent athleticism. But consistency has been something that Terrence has struggled to maintain thus far in his 4-year NBA career. 

One night Ross would lead the scoring for the Raptors, shooting along the lines of 5/8 from three point range - in 2014 Ross tied a Raptors record for the most points in a game with 51, before following that up with three nights with less than 10 points in each game. 

At the end of the day, it will be DeRozan and Lowry pushing the Raptors over the finish line - as highlighted on Tuesday night when Ross was not on the court for the final possessions. But Ross will have a huge say in getting the Raptors into pole position - once again it was Ross who had a huge hand in helping the Toronto to a late lead which the Raptors ultimately blew in Cleveland. 

Young Timberwolves are still learning identity in Minnesota

By Peter Wells:

Mandatory Credit: Carlos Gonzalez / Star Tribune

The Minnesota Timberwolves have as much talent at their disposal as any franchise could wish for. But of their core star players, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine are their most experienced individuals.

The other two pieces of what most see as a future 'Big Four' are second year Center Karl-Anthony Towns and rookie Point Guard Kris Dunn.

The T-Wolves are an outside bet at making the Western Conference Playoffs in April, but a rough start to the season has taught the young Wolves some valuable lessons. But recent results, and performances that have seen them play at a high level beyond the first quarter, shows that under Coach Tom Thibodeau, they are beginning to take heed from those teachings.  

Now the Timberwolves may be one step away from discovering their identity in this league. With all the talent they have it is often hard to label one or two guys as your go-to stars, but for most this is a must if potentials are to be fulfilled as a team, and not just as individuals.

Minnesota must accept that the cornerstones of their organisation are Wiggins and Towns. Those are the two players that can create their own shot, while making the others better around them.

It took a long time before Oklahoma City Thunder acknowledged that one of Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook should be on the court at all times. The same will soon become apparant for the T-Wolves.

LaVine is a dynamic scorer, but a scorer helped so greatly by Wiggins or Towns being on the floor to take some of the attention away from him. Dunn has a fantastic future ahead of him, but as of right now he has not found his imprint when it comes to scoring. 

Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Already we are getting the impression that Dunn will become more of a facilitating Point Guard, like a Chris Paul as opposed to a Damian Lillard or Stephen Curry - two of the most notable shoot first Point Guards. 

With one of Towns or Wiggins on the floor with Dunn and LaVine, this allows Dunn to facilitate for his teammates without the need to go searching for his shot, while Zach finds himself more space on the perimeter, and is no longer required to handle the ball and make plays himself. 

Wiggins is a terrific offensive player, while 'KAT' seems to have the ability to move to that next level. In just his second season as an NBA player, Towns is already considered as a Top 20 player in this league, and his ability to dominate down low as well as shoot with confidence and efficiency from the outside makes him the outright future face of the NBA. 

Financially this won't be simple either, but with an identity they can all play within, this young group has the potential to create a dynasty, together.

Pete's Predictions - 24th November

By Peter Wells:

Los Angeles Clippers @ Charlotte Hornets

107-94 Clippers

Orlando Magic @ Cleveland Cavaliers

98-89 Cavaliers

Portland Trail Blazers @ Philadelphia 76ers

125-98 Blazers

Phoenix Suns @ Toronto Raptors

105-102 Suns

New York Knicks @ Houston Rockets

110-94 Rockets

Indiana Pacers @ Dallas Mavericks

97-91 Mavericks

Chicago Bulls @ Utah Jazz

85-77 Bulls

Pete's predictions - 23rd November

By Peter Wells:

Los Angeles Clippers @ Memphis Grizzlies

108-98 Grizzlies

Porland Trail Blazers @ Boston Celtics

94-87 Trail Blazers

Charlotte Hornets @ Miami Heat

97-93 Hornets

Golden State Warriors @ Oklahoma City Thunder

112-91 Warriors

Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Lakers

95-90 Lakers

Pete's predictions - 22nd November

By Peter Wells:

Phoenix Suns @ Indiana Pacers

104-97 Suns

Miami Heat @ Orlando Magic

98-93 Magic

Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers

106-95 Cavaliers

Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks

91-88 Knicks

Dallas Mavericks @ Houston Rockets

112-96 Rockets

Sacramento Kings @ Minnesota Timberwolves

100-92 Kings

Washington Wizards @ Milwaukee Bucks

93-92 Wizards

Brooklyn Nets @ San Antonio Spurs

102-90 Spurs

New Orleans Pelicans @ Utah Jazz

109-93 Pelicans

Pete's predictions - 21st November

By Peter Wells:

Orlando Magic @ Charlotte Hornets

97-90 Hornets

Phoenix Suns @ Philadelphia 76ers

113-94 Suns

Detroit Pistons @ Atlanta Hawks

103-100 Hawks

Milwaukee Bucks @ Toronto Raptors 

98-87 Raptors

Boston Celtics @ Memphis Grizzlies 

95-81 Grizzlies

San Antonio Spurs @ Minnesota Timberwolves 

108-96 Spurs

Brooklyn Nets @ Oklahoma City Thunder

97-87 Nets

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Washington Wizards 

114-106 Wizards

Los Angeles Lakers @ Dallas Mavericks 

102-91 Mavericks

New Orleans Pelicans @ Denver Nuggets 

97-85 Pelicans

Utah Jazz @ Golden State Warriors

96-95 Jazz

Chicago Bulls @ Portland Trail Blazers

105-89 Trail Blazers

Pete's predictions - 18th November

By Peter Wells: 

Los Angeles Lakers @ Atlanta Hawks

102-92 Hawks

New York Knicks @ Milwaukee Bucks

91-87 Bucks

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz

94-86 Thunder

New Orleans Pelicans @ Sacramento Kings

106-95 Kings