Raptors clinch playoff berth for 3rd straight season
Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, and the rest of the Toronto Raptors are headed back to the NBA playoffs.
By virtue of the Chicago Bulls' 115-107 loss Wednesday to the New York Knicks at the United Center, the Raptors clinched a postseason berth for the third year in a row, and eighth in franchise history.
The Raptors fell short in their efforts to secure the spot themselves, losing 91-79 to the Boston Celtics as Lowry missed the game with a sore right elbow.
Toronto Raptors' Playoff History
| Season | Opponent(s) | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-2000 | New York Knicks | Lost First Round 3-0 | |
| 2000-2001 | New York Knicks/Philadelphia 76ers | Won First Round (Knicks) 3-2 / Lost Conference Semifinals (76ers) 4-3 | |
| 2001-2002 | Detroit Pistons | Lost First Round 3-2 | |
| 2006-2007 | New Jersey Nets | Lost First Round 4-2 | |
| 2007-2008 | Orlando Magic | Lost First Round 4-1 | |
| 2013-2014 | Brooklyn Nets | Lost First Round 4-3 | |
| 2014-2015 | Washington Wizards | Lost First Round 4-0 |
The team has yet to advance to the second round after a seven-game series, with their only postseason success coming in 2000-01 when the opening round was a best of five.
Toronto has a firm grip on the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed with a 48-22 record, seven games clear of the Miami Heat and the No. 3 seed.
With two more victories over the season's final 12 games, the Raptors will set a new franchise record for wins.