The Toronto Raptors defeated the Nets and will play in the playoffs against the Cavaliers. "I know there are many things people don't see, but this group has done a very good job," explained the Spanish coach. "Everyone believes he is one of the candidates and I agree. It will be an incredible opportunity for us," he explained. Meanwhile, Barnes declared after the match that he was "quite happy" with his season, in which he is a candidate to be recognized by the specialized press covering the NBA for the All-NBA Teams, as well as the All-Defensive Teams. In the last game of the regular season, Barnes scored 18 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and had 12 assists. "It has been a great season. Being there, on the court, is the most important thing; but being in those categories and having my name there shows that I am giving my all," he said. Meanwhile, the Nets finished in the second-to-last position, with only 20 wins in the entire season and 62 losses. After the match, the Nets' coach, Jordi Fernández, stated that he was proud of his players' performance and that except for the last quarter, "they were making the right play all the time." "The only thing I can tell them is thank you for everything they have done this season. I have been lucky not to have suffered injuries throughout the season." His teammate RJ Barrett was the top scorer of the game with 26 points, while Brandon Ingram, also of the Raptors, scored 25 points. For the Nets, who arrived in Toronto with only nine players, the top scorer was Tyson Etienne with 20 points, while Chaney Johnson had a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds. With their victory, and the Orlando Magic's loss to the Boston Celtics, the Raptors have finished the regular season in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.
