Raptors set franchise-record with 48th win of season

Source:Xinhua Published: 2014-4-15 13:00:53

Toronto Raptors defeated Milwaukee Bucks 110-100 on Monday night to claim their 48th win of the season, a new franchise-record.

Toronto's previous best of 47 wins occurred in the 2000-01 and 2006-07 seasons when the squads finished with 47-35 (.573 winning percentage) records.

Toronto improves to 48-33 (.593), the first time the team has gone 15 games over .500. Toronto also finishes 26-15 at home, the fourth time the team has finished with 26 or home wins in a season.

Despite the numerous records his team has set this season, Raptors head coach Dwane Casey does not feel like his team is fully ready for the playoffs.

"You got to continue to get better. We're playing a lot against ourselves and what we're trying to do," said Casey following the game. "We still have to continue to work to get better. We're not where we need to be defensively and offensively for the playoffs."

Having already clinched the Atlantic division, Toronto is tied with Chicago with one game remaining for each team. Toronto plays New York on Wednesday while Chicago plays Charlotte to finish off the regular season.

A Toronto win or a Chicago loss will ensure Toronto the third seed in the playoff, resulting in a first round matchup against the six-seed, most likely Washington or Charlotte.

"I'm more worried about us than who we play. It's about us, our health, the rest. There are no easy teams left in the playoffs right now," said Casey. "All the teams are very capable. Brooklyn is probably more playoff-ready. We can't control that."

While Casey is modest about his team's accomplishments in the season, the fact is his team has far exceeded expectations and gone from 48 losses last season to 48 wins with one game remaining.

"It's maturity. I've seen growth with a guy like Kyle (Lowry) and a guy like DeMar (DeRozan), handling different situations and adversity," Casey said. "The growth I've seen in the three years I have been here. That's very rewarding and the great part about is the future is bright for DeMar, Terrence (Ross) and JV (Jonas Valanciunas)."

The 2014 NBA playoffs will begin on April 19 or 20 for the young Raptors.

Posted in: Basketball

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