A bit of a buzz went through the Scotiabank Arena about midway through the fourth quarter Tuesday night. The Cleveland Cavaliers had lost in Orlando, the fans were learning, and the Raptors held a lead over the Atlanta Hawks.
If the Raptors could bring the game home, finish strong and put away a quick, offensively inclined opponent, they would guarantee themselves a playoff berth and avoid the pressure of the play-in games.
And the leader stepped up.
Fred VanVleet, who had missed 10 of the first 11 three-point attempts, drilled one from deep with 63 seconds that was the decisive bucket as Toronto secured at least a sixth-place finish in the East with a 118-108 win over the Atlanta Hawks.