5 things we learned about the Raptors in 1st quarter of season

Just over a quarter of the way through the season, the Toronto Raptors (14-7 going into Thursday night's game against Minnesota) continue to compete with the NBA's elite. 

Sitting second in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors boast one of the league's best offences as DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry continue to lead from the backcourt. 

However, it hasn't all been perfect. Here are five things at the NBA quarter-pole. 

1. DeRozan, Lowry continue dominance

Two-time all-star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan is off to a career start, fifth in league scoring and averaging 28 points per game. Fresh off signing a five-year deal worth $139 million US this past summer, the 6-foot-7 Compton, Calif., native has been dominant, scoring more than 20 points in 18 of the Raptors' first 21 games. 

In Monday's game against Cleveland, DeRozan joined Chris Bosh as the only Toronto players to reach 10,000 points in a Raptors uniform.

Kyle Lowry also continues to flourish in his fifth season with the Raptors, averaging 20.6 ppg. The 30-year-old has scored in double figures in every game this season. 

2. Offensive explosion

Although the Raptors don't have a consistent third scorer behind DeRozan and Lowry, the offence hasn't suffered. Going into Thursday Toronto is third in the NBA scoring at 110 ppg — trailing only the Houston Rockets (111.1) and the Golden State Warriors (120.2). The increase in scoring is a noticeable jump from the 100.6 ppg the team average through 21 games last season when they were 12-9 after 21 games. 

3. The Cleveland problem 

Despite a solid start to the season, the Raptors cannot seem to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers. Toronto has lost all three games against the East's top team this season, and when you include last season's East final, have lost seven of their last nine meetings.

Toronto also fell to NBA leaders Golden State and L.A. Clippers, a potentially troubling trend when facing the league's elite teams.

4. Where does Valanciunas fit? 

Jonas Valanciunas got off to a great start, pouring in 32 points in the season-opening win against the Detroit Pistons. But the 7-foot centre has battled injuries through the first quarter of the season and hasn't looked comfortable — especially recently. He is shooting just 32 per cent in his last five games entering Thursday. 

The 24-year-old Lithuanian has averaged 12.1 ppg — up from the 11.8 he put up to start last year (21 games) — but he has often found himself on the bench in key situations, including during the entire fourth quarter against the Cavaliers on Monday. 

5. Defensive woes? 

Head coach Dwane Casey credited his team's success last season to its stingy defence, which was ranked third in the NBA at 98 ppg against. This season the Raptors are surrendering an average of 102.8, 12th in the league, a stat which could come back to haunt them if they hope to make another run.