The Toronto Raptors defeated the Brooklyn Nets 136-101 to clinch their first playoff berth in four seasons on Sunday.
RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 26 points, while Scottie Barnes had his ninth career triple-double of 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Brandon Ingram added 25 points, Ja’Kobe Walter and Jakob Poeltl each had 11, and AJ Lawson had 10 points as the Raptors posted their best record since going 48-34 and placing fifth in the East in 2021-22.
The Hawks’ loss to the Heat and the Magic’s loss at Boston gave Toronto the fifth seed in the East and a first-round matchup with fourth-seeded Cleveland.
Toronto and Atlanta both finished 46-36, but Toronto swept the season series 4-0.
The Raptors went 3-0 against the Cavaliers this season, but the teams haven’t played since Nov. 24.
Meanwhile, Barnes shot 8 for 11 in his third triple-double of the season, and he is the first player in Raptors history to have three triple-doubles in multiple seasons.
For the Nets, Tyson Etienne had 20 points, E.J. Liddell scored 17 points, Chaney Johnson had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Ben Saraf scored 15 points.
The Nets lost three straight to finish their worst season since posting the same record in 2016-17.
Toronto will look forward to facing the Cavaliers next weekend to start the playoffs.
