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    • Toronto Raptors Become First Team to Clinch NBA Playoff Berth

    by admin in Basketball News | Comments Off on Toronto Raptors Become First Team to Clinch NBA Playoff Berth

    Toronto Raptors clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday night after defeating Detroit Pistons 121-119.

    Fred VanVleet fired a tie-breaking jump shot with 1.1 seconds remaining in overtime and gave Raptors their sixth straight win. With this win, Raptors became the first NBA team to make their way to 2018 playoffs. It is their tenth playoff berth and fifth back to back.  For Raptors, DeMar DeRozan scored 42 points, while Norman  Powell had 17 points.

    “We need to be hardened and face some adversity,” said Raptors coach Dwane Casey. ”Tonight was one of those tests. I think each game we go into, everybody’s going to give us their best shot.”

    Toronto Raptors were down by as much as 17 points in the second quarter, but they fought back and tied the game 114 at the end of regulation. With the score tied again in overtime and few seconds left on the shot clock, Detroit’s Reggie Bullock missed an open 3-pointer. The rebound went to DeRozan who made a simple pass to Fred VanVleet. VanVleet shot from inside the 3-point line turned out to be the decisive blow and gave Toronto the lead.

    “To win the game at the end there makes me be able to sleep a little bit better at night.” VanVleet said.

    DeRozan’s dunk in the regulation was also the highlight of the game. His 31 of 42 points came in the second half. For Detroit Pistons, Blake Griffin scored 31 points and Reggie Bullock added 21 points. Detroit has now lost four games in a row




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