Raptors look to clinch playoff spot vs. Knicks on Friday

The Toronto Raptors They may discover themselves again within the NBA Playoffs for the primary time since 2022 with a win on Friday, or some assist from groups across the league.

As the Raptors go to the New York Knicks for his or her penultimate sport of the common season, a victory — or losses by the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers AND Charlotte Hornets — would imply Toronto may fall no decrease than sixth within the standings and subsequently clinch their return to the playoffs.

Each of these situations is simpler mentioned than achieved, nevertheless, because the Raptors have but to beat the Knicks by 4 matchups this season, shedding by a mean margin of 20.3 factors. Toronto has misplaced 12 consecutive video games in opposition to New York, its final victory coming in January 2023.

Meanwhile, the Magic take on the lottery-bound Chicago Bulls, the 76ers face the 14th-seeded Indiana Pacers and the Hornets face the Detroit Pistons, who’ve already locked up the No. 1 seed within the East.

As for the Raptors, they enter Friday again to fifth within the East following back-to-back wins over the Miami Heat on Tuesday and Thursday. They’re at present tied with the Atlanta Hawks at 45-35 however personal the head-to-head tiebreaker thanks to a 4-0 season collection sweep.

Other post-season situations on Friday embody:

• Atlanta clinches a playoff spot and the Southeast Division title with a win OR losses by Orlando AND Charlotte.

• Boston clinches the Atlantic Division title with a win OR a New York loss.

• Charlotte is locked into the Play-In Tournament with a loss OR wins by Toronto AND Atlanta.

• Orlando is locked into the Play-In Tournament with a loss OR wins by Toronto AND Atlanta.

• Philadelphia is locked into the Play-In Tournament with a loss OR a Toronto win.

The NBA’s Play-In Tournament between seeds seven by 10 in every convention begins on April 14 and the playoffs begin on April 18.