NBA: Which teams have had the best benches in 2017-18?

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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 19: C.J. Miles #0 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball as Cristiano Felicio #6 of the Chicago Bulls defends during the second half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on October 19, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

5. Toronto Raptors

Most people figured that the Raptors’ relatively quiet summer would destine them for the all-too-familiar fate of their previous few seasons. The Raptors will be good, maybe even really good, but won’t be dynamic enough to challenge the Cavs or even the Celtics when push comes to shove in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

The emergence of Norman Powell in last year’s playoffs was enough to get him $42 Million over four years this offseason from Toronto, and Powell has been pretty critical to Toronto’s bench this season, but as I noted in my Atlantic Conference Preview, the Raptors lost quite a bit of depth this offseason, and their very good bench is now only regular good.

Part of the reason Toronto let several players walk this offseason was their young core of bigs who really needed some time on the court to develop. Pascal Siakam, Lucas Noguiera and Jokab Poeltl have gotten it done by committee, while not always beautiful to watch.

Their biggest addition though has been C.J. Miles. Miles, who is a well-rounded talent, shot 41 percent from deep last season, and although he’s only shooting 38 percent from behind the arc this season, that’s more than enough to stretch the floor for the distance-challenged Demar DeRozan, giving DeRozan more room to operate.

The Raptors bench is in the top six in offensive rating, defensive rating, and net rating. Dwayne Casey truly has his Toronto squad playing both sides of the ball, and the bench doesn’t show much drop-off once they check in from the scorer’s table.

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