Raptors become 1st team to clinch playoff berth

DeMar DeRozan's got them.

The Toronto Raptors became the first team to clinch a playoff berth this season with a 121-119 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. They currently sit first in the East with a record of 47-17.

DeRozan scored a game-high 42 points, including the game-saving dunk in regulation, and dished the game-winning assist to Fred VanVleet in overtime to overcome a strong challenge from Blake Griffin and the reeling Pistons.

This will be the Raptors' fifth straight postseason appearance since president Masai Ujiri took control of the team. Toronto lost in the first round in 2014 and 2015, but advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016 and took two games off the eventual champion Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round last season, but lost again to the Cavaliers, which forced Ujiri to make a difficult choice about their future.

The Raptors ultimately decided to bring back their core, while updating their offense to reflect the modern style of basketball. Making that transition successfully, coupled with the emergence of several prospects in the second unit, has pushed the team to new heights.