Raps Down Philly, Capture First Division Title
Posted April 6, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Raptors have won the Atlantic Division.
With the “magic number” down to two Friday night, Toronto took care of business in Philadelphia, downing the 76ers 94-85.
They then clinched the first division title in franchise history when the New Jersey Nets fell to the Chicago Bulls a little more than an hour later.
As always, Chris Bosh led the way for Toronto against their feeble division foes, dropping in 23 points to go with 13 rebounds. Anthony Parker, Juan Dixon and T.J. Ford each added 12 points.
Andre Iguodala scored 20 points and Montreal native Samuel Dalembert had 15 points for the Sixers.
The win also helped Toronto maintain a slim lead over Miami for the all-important third spot in the Eastern Conference, a position that would give Toronto home court advantage for the first round and a shot at the depleted Washington Wizards.
And Sam Mitchell’s team has just come so far. The Raptors began the season 2-8, but their 43 wins this season are a 16-win improvement over last season’s total of 27, and that margin is good for the biggest turnaround in the NBA.
“Everything that we’ve probably been through to get to this point has been necessary,” coach Sam Mitchell said before the game.
Toronto hadn’t won a title since its inaugural 1995-96 season, compiling a .392 franchise winning percentage and three winning seasons.
The Raptors next game is Sunday, when they host the Chicago Bulls, a team Toronto could potentially face in the first round of the playoffs should they fall behind Miami.
