Toronto Raptors clinch 7th straight NBA playoff berth

Mar 6, 2020 | News, Sports

Kevaughn Wilson

The Toronto Raptors sealed a berth in the 2020 NBA playoffs with a victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.

It was a rematch of last year’s NBA finals as the Raptors, who currently sit second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 44-18, defeated the Warriors 121-113.

Head coach Nick Nurse said he expected nothing short of a tough game against the Warriors.

“We expected a close game, there were no illusions in my mind,” he said in his post game interview. “We are getting closer to having a fully healthy team but we aren’t quite there yet.”

The injury riddled Raptors team has exceeded all expectations this year after the departure of finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.

They are on pace for possibly their best regular season in franchise history with 20 games remaining.

If both the Golden State Warriors (14-49) San Antonio Spurs (26-34) miss the playoffs, it means the Raptors will have the NBA’s second-longest active streak of playoff appearances.

Raptors guard and game high scorer with 37 points, Norman Powell said the team continues to persevere through injuries.

“I think that we have a group of guys who believe in themselves and go out there and lay it on the line every night to make a name for themselves,” he said.

Toronto will have their next chance to make a run at the franchise regular season record on Sunday when the face the Kings in Sacramento.