{"id":708573,"date":"2026-04-12T01:06:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T01:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/708573\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T01:06:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T01:06:54","slug":"raptors-strive-to-secure-top-six-playoff-spot-in-clash-vs-nets-field-level-media-professional-sports-content-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/708573\/","title":{"rendered":"Raptors strive to secure top-six playoff spot in clash vs. Nets – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Toronto Raptors can clinch a top-six playoff spot with a win on Sunday night against the visiting Brooklyn Nets in the teams\u2019 regular-season finale.<\/p>\n

The Raptors (45-36) dropped to sixth \u2014 the final guaranteed playoff spot \u2014 in the Eastern Conference on Friday night with a 112-95 road loss to the New York Knicks.<\/p>\n

Toronto could finish fifth if it beats the Nets and if both the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic lose.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll antennas are up, one game to go, the final of the season,\u201d Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to find the best focus, the best version of ourselves. We have to be at the peak of our performance for that game.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Raptors have won two of three against the Nets (20-61) this season. The Nets\u2019 win over the Raptors came in their most recent meeting, 96-81, on Dec. 21.<\/p>\n

The Nets have dropped two games in a row, most recently a 125-108 road loss to Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. The losses followed two straight wins.<\/p>\n

Tyson Etienne led the Nets with a career-best 23 points, shooting 6-for-12 from 3-point range. Malachi Smith had 19 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. He was 5-for-7 from long range.<\/p>\n

If the Raptors finish sixth, they would face the third-seeded Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, a difficult draw. The Knicks have defeated the Raptors in 13 consecutive games, including five times this season.<\/p>\n

As for the Nets, they sit third in the lottery standings.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year was rough obviously,\u201d said Nets center Nic Claxton, who did not play Friday because of a sprained finger. \u201cSo we\u2019ve got (one more game), we flush that out, we get back to the drawing board this summer, and we go from there. Obviously, everybody, we want to be in a winning situation. We all want to win, so that\u2019s what we\u2019re striving to get back to. And whatever we need to do to get back to that process as quickly as we can, that\u2019s what we\u2019ll do.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Raptors could have clinched at least a sixth-place finish by winning Friday. Their downfall was the second quarter, when they were outscored 29-15.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we were there the whole game, competing,\u201d Rajakovic said. \u201cWe had a couple of opportunities to get completely back in the game. Unfortunately, the ball bounced their way tonight. I thought the first quarter was very, very competitive. I thought defensively we did a very good job. On offense we can do a better job of setting screens, freeing up teammates so we can create some flow on the offensive end.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toronto played without Immanuel Quickley (foot injury management), Collin Murray-Boyles (neck sprain) and RJ Barrett (sore right knee). Barrett was a late scratch.<\/p>\n

Reserve Sandro Mamukelashvili led Toronto scoring with 17 points. Brandon Ingram scored 16, and Scottie Barnes and Ja\u2019Kobe Walter recorded 15 points apiece.<\/p>\n

Rajakovic reached 100 total wins with the Raptors with a victory over Miami on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Ingram has been a key player this season in the Raptors\u2019 improvement, and he credited Rajakovic.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe holds me accountable on and off the floor,\u201d Ingram said. \u201cHe tells me what I need to do, whether I want to hear it or not. He\u2019s made me a better defender. He\u2019s made me care about that side of the basketball more, and on the offensive end, he just wants the best for me, and he\u2019s there to communicate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n

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