Pics| Box Highlights Garbo Talks | Ulmer Quotes | Notes Chris Bosh Points: 23 RBs: 8 Assists: 7 "Right now we are going to enjoy something that we accomplished," Sam Mitchell. The Raptors recorded 16 fast break points to the Knicks zero. Team RB ST BLK TOT TOR 26 10 2 48 NYK 38 6 2 46

April 15, 2007

TORONTO (CP) -- With Sunday's victory over the New York Knicks, the Toronto Raptors crossed off their third and final goal they had set for this successful regular-season by securing homecourt advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

But the celebrations will have to wait, as the Raptors will tell you they're far from finished.

Chris Bosh had 23 points, eight rebounds and a season-high seven assists as the Raptors (47-33) tied their franchise record for wins in a season and notched their sixth consecutive victory, edging the Knicks 107-105.

``What is there to celebrate? We're happy but we've still got the playoffs looming, so you've got to continually expect more for yourself,'' head coach Sam Mitchell said. ``It's a good thing, we're happy, we're proud about what we've done up to this point. But we're going to try to get into the playoffs and make some noise.''

Five Raptors finished in double figures. Anthony Parker and Joey Graham finished with 19 points apiece, Jose Calderon had 18 and Kris Humphries had 12.

Eddy Curry topped the Knicks (32-48) with 30 points, while Steve Francis added 28.

With two games to go, the Raptors will finish third in the Eastern Conference, earning homecourt for the first time in franchise history. They had already locked up their first playoff appearance in five seasons a couple of weeks ago, and had clinched their first Atlantic Division title in franchise history.

None of these accomplishments have surprised Bosh.

``I've always thought that this was going to be a great team this year,'' said the all-star forward, who played a full 48 minutes Sunday. ``Every time a goal was set, and we accomplished it, it's a great feeling, but I'm really not surprised because we have so many great guys in this locker-room and the coaching staff to where, whatever we accomplish, it's meant for us.''

The Raptors will meet either the injury-depleted Washington Wizards, Vince Carter and the New Jersey Nets, or the Orlando Magic _ which is a remote possibility _ in the first round of the playoffs.

``I'm not picky, I don't care who we play, I just want to play in the playoffs and win in the playoff,'' said Bosh.

But he admitted meeting former teammate Carter could add some intrigue, for the fans if not for the Raptors.

``That would be something,'' said Bosh. ``I'm sure that would be a great story too, I'm sure that fans would love to see Vince for the first game. But I don't care who it is, we may see him, we may not.''

While Sunday's victory may have been historic, it certainly wasn't pretty. The Knicks had already been eliminated from post-season contention with Friday's loss to New Jersey, but still came to play, and when Francis hauled down Parker from behind to earn a flagrant foul in the third quarter, it was indicative of an ugly affair full of bodies flying and players griping at the referees.

The visitors led by as many as 12 points in the first half and took a 78-77 lead into the fourth quarter as the game came down to the final few seconds.

The Raptors were up by nine points with just under three minutes to play and looked en route to certain victory. But the Knicks rallied in the final two minutes, Francis cutting Toronto's lead to a point with a basket with 3.4 seconds left.

Graham sealed the victory, in front of a full house of 19,800 happy fans at the Air Canada Centre, when he took an inbounds pass, drove to the basket and was fouled, converting the three-point play with 2.2 seconds left.

``They are a good young team and their coach is doing a good job with the talent that he has,'' Francis said of Toronto. ``They are playing basketball together and there is not really one guy that is dominating the basketball. They have a good chance of doing something special in the playoffs.''

The Knicks dominated the boards for most of the night, holding the Raptors to just 10 rebounds in the first half and outrebounding their hosts 38-26 on the night. Toronto didn't have an answer for Curry either, the Knicks giant having his way with the Raptors on a 11-for-17 shooting night.

The Raptors did shoot a decent 52 per cent on the night, and pestered the Knicks into 20 turnovers for 22 points. They outscored the Knicks 16-0 on fast-break points.

``When we get out and run and we can finish on the break, especially at home when it gets the crowd into it, our guys get inbto it and turnovers are deflating,'' said Parker.

The Raptors wrap up the regular season with games Tuesday at Detroit, and their regular-season finale Wednesday at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.

With homecourt locked up, Bosh should get a breather, along with some of his game-weary teammates such as Parker.

``(Rest) is important,'' said Bosh. ``That was the big reason for the win today.''

Parker set the pace with 10 points in the first quarter, and the Raptors shot 55 per cent in the frame. Still, they couldn't put any more than four points on the Knicks and led 30-27 heading into the second.

The Knicks went on a 15-0 run that spanned just over three minutes early in the second capped by a three-pointer from Nate Robinson putting New York up by 12. The Knicks took a 59-50 lead into the break.

The Raptors opened the third with an 18-9 run to finally regain the lead midway through the quarter. The Knicks took a 78-77 advantage into the fourth.

NOTES: The Raptors record of 47 wins was set in 2001-02. ... Toronto had already franchise record with 29 wins at home. ... Glen Grunwald, the former Raptors GM who's now the assistant GM of the Knicks, was at the game. ... Bosh's seven assists were one off his career high.