The Toronto Raptors showed their resilience and character as they managed to grind out a hard-fought victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.In a thrilling contest, the Raptors needed overtime to eventually put the slumping Pistons away with a 121-119 triumph that secured their sixth straight win and condemned the home team to a fourth loss in a row.The victory saw them extend their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference to two-and-a-half games ahead of the Boston Celtics.Toronto's win was also hugely significant as it saw them become the first team in the NBA this season to clinch a playoff berth.According to ESPN Stats and Information, it's their fifth straight playoff berth. Prior to that, they made the playoffs a total of five times in 18 seasons.

They were able to seal it in dramatic fashion as DeMar DeRozan posted 42 points, which included some huge plays down the stretch to see off Detroit.

With nine seconds to go in regulation and the Raptors down by one, the shooting guard raced up the court and threw down a nasty dunk on Anthony Tolliver that also saw him receive an and-one opportunity.

After the three-time All-Star knocked down the free-throw to give his team a two-point lead, Blake Griffin sent the game into overtime with a last-second shot of his own.

In the final seconds of overtime, DeRozan was involved in another huge play as he once again drove to the basket but was met by multiple Pistons players this time and chose to kick the ball out to a wide-open Fred VanVleet.

The point guard took full advantage and drilled a jumper from the corner which turned out to be the game-winner.

Head coach Dwane Casey was delighted to see his team face a tough test and still come away successful as he believes it'll stand them in good stead going into future encounters.

"We need to be hardened and face some adversity," Casey said, per ESPN. "Tonight was one of those tests. I think each game we go into, everybody's going to give us their best shot."

The Canadian-based franchise has a chance to claim the top seed in the east for the first time in their history if they go 10-8 or better in their remaining 18 games.

Another 10 wins would also see them surpass their record for the regular season of 56, which they set in the 2015-16 season when they went as far as the Eastern Conference Finals.

With 13 victories in the last 14, the Raptors have been consistent for a while and they are proving that they are the real deal this year and will take some stopping in the playoffs.

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