NBA Playoffs 2016: Toronto Raptors clinch berth
By Josh Hill
The Toronto Raptors have clinched a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
We are exactly three weeks away from the NBA Playoffs starting, and tickets are beginning to be punched left and right. The Toronto Raptors were hoping to get in as soon as they could to continue their streak of making the postseason — but hoping that this time things end differently.
With the loss by Chicago to New York on Wednesday, the Raptors have clinched yet another consecutive playoff berth. Here’s a look at the updated NBA Playoffs bracket now that the Raps are officially in:
The loss by the Bulls means they failed to gain ground on Detroit, who remain hot on their heels for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Little did we know at the beginning of the year that the Bulls would be fighting for their playoff lives this late in the season, but that’s where we are.
Cleveland beat Milwaukee on Wednesday night, so the Raptors weren’t able to gain ground there but at least they’re in. The Raptors seem to be in their best position yet to make it out of the first-round of the postseason, as they’ve run out of gas early their previous two trips.
As of now, they’d be meeting the Pacers in the first-round, which is hardly an easy matchup but one that Toronto might be able to handle.