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Raptors to play Wizards in first round of NBA playoffs

Toronto earns top seed in Eastern Conference
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Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) goes up for a shot against Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (42) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 11, 2018, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors will meet the Washington Wizards in the first round of the NBA’s post-season.

Kyle Lowry had 28 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists but Toronto still fell to the Miami Heat 116-109 in overtime on Wednesday night, while the Washington Wizards lost to the Orlando Magic 101-92. That combination of results made Washington the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and set up a series with the top-ranked Raptors.

Toronto heads into its fifth consecutive playoff appearance after rewriting the franchise history books in the regular season. The Raptors won a record 59 games, topping their previous best of 56. They also won a franchise-high 34 games at the Air Canada Centre, tying the Houston Rockets for the best home record in the NBA.

Although Toronto won its season series with Washington, it got off to a rocky start.

The Raptors lost 107-96 to the Wizards on Nov. 5, part of their 5-4 start to the regular season. Bradley Beal scored 38 points and the Wizards led from the opening tipoff.

Toronto bounced back to beat Washington 100-91 on Nov. 19 at the Air Canada Centre. DeMar DeRozan had 33 points in the win.

The Raptors won the season series against the Wizards with a 102-95 victory in Washington on March 2. DeRozan led the way with 23 points.

The Wizards have been in a freefall, losing 11 of their past 16 games.

John Wall hasn’t played against the Raptors this season, returning to the lineup on April 1 from a knee injury.

Washington swept the Raptors in four games in the opening round of the playoffs in 2015, Toronto’s worst performance in its last four playoff appearances.

THE CANADIAN PRESS