The Toronto Raptors have become the first team in the NBA to clinch a playoff spot after their win against the Detroit Pistons.
The team came-back from a 17-point deficit in the 2nd half, and won in overtime.
Four-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan led the team with 40 points including a dunk over two Detroit players.
“Once I saw I had an angle, it was downhill from there, just had to make that read,” DeRozan said. “I saw Blake step in like he was going to come, but I know nobody was going to leave the corner.”
Rookie Fred Van Vleet was the key to victory as he scored the game-winning three-pointer, putting the Raptors ahead with 1.1 seconds left in overtime.
Point guard Kyle Lowry acted as the facilitator by dishing 15 assists.
“[CJ Miles] was ahead, Fred was in the corner, Demar just went and put his head down, and drew three or four defenders, and Freddy was in the corner in one of his spots,” Lowry said.
This will mark the Raptors’ fifth straight trip to the playoffs. The conference finals are the farthest the team has progressed during the five-year stretch.
Mar 7, 2018; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) looses the ball as he runs into Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (42) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
How historic is this season?
The Raptors are on pace for more than 60 wins during the regular season; the current franchise record is 54. The Raptors have 47 wins with 18 games left.
The Toronto Raptors have become the first team in the NBA to clinch a playoff spot after their win against the Detroit Pistons.
The Raptors are the only team in the NBA to be top five in both the offensive and defensive efficiency.
They’ve become the first team in NBA history to have everyone on the roster average 6.6 points per game.
The Raptors will face the league’s best Houston Rockets Friday night at the Air Canada Centre.