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.