With a 105-97 win over the Atlanta Hawks, the Toronto Raptors set a new franchise record for wins in a season with 50.
In the Toronto Raptors’ 21-year history, the team has never won 50 games in a season. They came close last year with 49 and 48 the year before, but 50 just sounds better.
A 105-97 win over the Atlanta Hawks gave the Raptors that record-breaking win in front of a home crowd. Near the end of the fourth quarter, as the win appeared to be getting closer, the crowd got louder as they knew they were witnessing history.
DeMar DeRozan led the way for Toronto scoring 26 points. Kyle Lowry, playing through an injured elbow on his shooting arm, put in 17 along with 11 assists. Jeff Teague was the high scoring Hawk with 18 points.
The Raptors also managed to hold the Hawks to under 100 points for the first time in nine games. With eight games left this season, the Raptors need three more wins to clinch at least the second seed in the East.
After the game, Toronto fans took to Twitter to express their excitement over the milestone.
Congrats to our @Raptors for winning a franchise best 50 games this year! #WeTheNorth #RTZ pic.twitter.com/qwmlEWiSwA
— RENO+DECOR (@RENOandDECOR) March 31, 2016
50 wins! #RTZ pic.twitter.com/YNhPe94SPU
— Antonio Cee (@TheRealPepman) March 31, 2016
@Raptors WE MADE IT! #WeTheNorth #RTZ pic.twitter.com/J4fgZnLrub
— DUNPHY (@WeTheNor7h) March 31, 2016
Well it got a bit close there. But good teams can withstand pressure from opposing teams. And the Raptors are a good team. WIN #50 #RTZ
— AA (@mhspectrum14) March 31, 2016
50! 💜🎉👍🏀#RTZ #WETHENORTH pic.twitter.com/I6E93EhTWu
— Sheila Bruce (@sbruce47) March 31, 2016
While fans are excited about breaking this franchise first, there is another milestone that is more important. The Raptors finally winning a best-of-seven playoff series.
50 wins is good but you know what would be great? 4 wins in the 1st round! #eyeontheprize #NBAPlayoffs #RTZ #6ix pic.twitter.com/WloqzJIqVX
— Richards (@mwerichards) March 31, 2016
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