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.