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TORONTO - In a play that sort of typified the evening and maybe even their season, Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry led a second-quarter fast break by delivering a one-handed bounce pass to Greivis Vasquez, who lateraled to the trailing Amir Johnson. Johnson, the beneficiary of a couple perfectly placed passes, capped off the sequence with a tomahawk slam that put Toronto on top by 20 points. Fouled on the landing, Johnsons momentum carried him into the first row, where he proudly pointed to the team name on his jersey and slapped hands with fans seated on the baseline. It was that kind of night. The proceedings began with the unveiling of a second Atlantic Division Championship banner and concluded with a well-deserved standing ovation just over two hours later. The Raptors - trotting off the court following a 110-100, wire-to-wire win over the Bucks - had set a new franchise record with their 48th victory of the season, while also going 15 games above the .500 mark for the first time in team history. "Its definitely great because we fed off our fans," said DeMar DeRozan, who stood centre court and counted down from three, as the banner was uncovered from the rafters atop Air Canada Centre, hanging adjacent to the one they had earned in 2006-07. The final home game of the season - Fanapolooza, as its been dubbed - had been a somber event for five years running. It was an opportunity for the Raptors loyal, albeit frustrated supporters to come bid farewell to a team that had let them down, a chance to vent their disappointment but mostly to guzzle up free t-shirts, pizza and whatever swag the remorseful organization was offering up. Most importantly, it meant the end of basketball in Toronto for another long summer. Not the case on Monday. Monday night was a celebration, a show of appreciation from a starved fan base to a team that has captured their admiration with resilience and hard play. It was a night of reflection, looking back at where they came from and rejoicing in what theyve accomplished. It wasnt a goodbye. Theyll see them again in five or six days. "Weve got to have some of the most devoted fans in the league," he continued. "Ive been here through the struggles and tough times and our fans were still right there with us on this journey. So it definitely felt good to share it with them because they played a major part in it as well." Although DeRozan was in uniform, available to play if it would have come to that, he was given the night off to rest going into his playoff debut next weekend. As it turns out, they didnt need him, not against the league-worst Bucks on Monday night. It was the 11th time theyve played without a member of their first unit - a group that has won more games than any starting five in franchise history - and the 11th time theyve come away victorious. With the Raptors all-star guard cheerleading from the sidelines, Greivis Vasquez started in his stead, pacing the team with 25 points and seven assists. "It was a fun win," said Vasquez, who knocked down his first six shots, five of them from beyond the arc. "They gave me a chance to start, I just went out there and did my job." Performances like his, like Tyler Hansbroughs double-double in 20 minutes, are a big part of whats gotten them to this point. DeRozan has carried this team more often than not, so too has Lowry - who scored 16 of his 24 points in the second half - but when one or both have needed it, someone has generally been waiting and ready to back them up. "All it takes is the right chemistry, the right group of guys and you can do whatever it takes," DeRozan said. "You dont need no big name players, you dont need this, that and the third, what people supposedly say you need. Were proof of that and we continue to keep growing, keep learning and keep building. On to the next step." The next step, as the Raptors leading scorer puts it, is Wednesdays regular season finale in New York. With a win over the Knicks, Toronto would lock down the Eastern Conferences third seed and face whomever slots into sixth, most likely Washington. The Raptors would fall to fourth and play the fifth place team - likely Brooklyn - if they should lose on Wednesday and the Bulls defeat the Bobcats in Charlotte. "Im more worried about us, more so than who we play," said Casey. "Its about us, about our health, the rest, whatever we decide to do in that situation. If we play Brooklyn we play Brooklyn. If we play Washington we play Washington. There are no easy teams left in the playoffs right now. All of the teams are very capable. Brooklyn is probably more playoff-ready. But we cant control that. And Im not going into [Wednesdays] game trying to control that." The Raptors coach said he has not decided whether DeRozan - second in the NBA in minutes logged this year - will play in Wednesdays season finale. Home sweet home The Raptors will finish the season with 26 wins at home for the fourth time in franchise history. After dropping eight of their first 12 games at the ACC, they have become one of the toughest teams to beat on home court, winning 22 of 29 since the end of December. "Coach definitely stressed to us, weve got to protect home court," DeRozan said of the turnaround. "Thats big. We cant let teams come in here and think they can get wins. We really started taking it personally, understanding weve got to use our crowd to our advantage. Everybody bought in, so every time we were home we felt comfortable and felt that we could get any win." "I think our guys have gotten better, matured, improved, I think more than anything else," Dwane Casey said of their success at home. "You should have the same approach whether youre on the road, playing on the moon, wherever youre playing youve got to have the same approach and our guys have done a good job of that, whether were on the road or at home." They were undefeated, 19-0 in games they led going into the fourth quarter in Toronto, something that should serve them well as they go into the first round of the playoffs with home-court advantage. The stat With their fourth straight win over Milwaukee, the Raptors swept the season series with the Bucks for the first time in team existence. The quote "We had group at the start of the season that was motivated, dedicated to winning," said Lowry, "and when everything didnt pan out we made a move and we got a group of guys who came in that really filled the voids that we needed. Everyone is on the same page. Vegas Strong Jersey . "Yeah, [I heard them]," he said. "They made me miss the free throw." A year ago, Lowrys post-game antics may not have been so well received but what was snide and snarky is now endearing quick wit. Maxime Lagace Jersey . At quarterback, all agree that Andy Dalton has been a wonderful surprise, but to truly progress he has to play his best in the playoffs. The two losses in the wildcard rounds keep the evaluation on Dalton open -- just like it did for Peyton Manning many years ago and Matt Ryan until last year. http://www.goldenknightssale.com/authentic-curtis-mckenzie-golden-knights-jersey/ . Bowditch, the 30-year-old Australian seeking his first PGA Tour title, shot a 4-under 68 to reach 12 under at TPC San Antonio. Matt Kuchar and Andrew Loupe were tied for second. Kuchar shot 65, and Loupe had a 70. Jon Merrill Jersey . According to a report from ESPN, Lynch wants a new contract from the Seahawks, and will likely skip all off-season workouts until he can renegotiate his deal with the Seahawks. Tomas Tatar Jersey .com) - Nicklas Backstrom scored a pair of goals and Alex Ovechkin notched a highlight-reel tally, leading the Washington Capitals to a 4-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday at the Prudential Center.TORONTO - No Jon Cornish, no Nik Lewis, no Maurice Price, no tears from Dwight Anderson. Anderson will make his Toronto debut Saturday night when the Argonauts (1-1) host a short-handed Calgary squad at Rogers Centre. The Stampeders will be minus running back Cornish — the CFLs outstanding player last year — and receivers Nik Lewis (both concussion symptoms) and Maurice Price (broken hand). Catch the game live on TSN as part of a doubleheader starting at 6:30pm et/3:30pm pt. But Anderson, who helped Calgary (1-0) win the 2008 Grey Cup, isnt feeling sorry for his former team. "Not at all," Anderson said. "You cant feel sorry for nobody in this league because at the end of the day nobody is going to feel sorry for you. "Theyre going to line up and come after you so youve got to be prepared for whatever they throw at you." Canadian Matt Walter and American Jock Sanders will split running back duties against Toronto while Joe West comes off the injured list to line up at receiver. The offensive line also receives a boost with the return of tackle Dan Federkeil. "Over the years if you look at Calgary theyve had a lot of injuries and a lot of guys have stepped in and done well," Anderson said. "Cornish is down but (Walter and Sanders) are going to share the load. "Nik went down, Joe West stepped in. Theyre not leaving too much firepower out, theyre bringing in firepower so youve got to be on your toes. Thats what Ive told these guys here, theyre a vertical team. Bo (starter Bo Levi Mitchell) has a strong arm and can scramble." Anderson, 33, will start at halfback with just one week of practice under his belt. Toronto acquired the eight-year veteran Monday from the Saskatchewan Roughriders, just two days after defeating the defending Grey Cup champions 48-15 at Rogers Centre. To add insult to injury, Anderson endured the lopsided loss on his 33rd birthday. But Anderson said his transition in Toronto has been seamless because the Argos defence is very similar to the one he played in while with the Montreal Alouettes (2011-12). Toronto defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke held the same post with Montreal from 2008-10 and although hed left La Belle Province by the time Anderson arrived, the Alouettes still used many of Burkes defensive principles when Anderson was with them. "Its been busy, a lot of running around (since trade) but as far as the playbook goes it pretty much came back to me from the Montreal days," Anderson said. "I think the coaches were kind of surprised I picked it up so quickly but (when) youve been in this game long enough nothing is too difficult." Argos head coach Scott Milanovich is hoping the vocal Anderson, whos regarded as the CFLs top trash talker, can be a positive contributor to Torontos young, inexperienced defence. "Dwights an intelligent player," Milanovich said. &quuot;I expect Dwight to be what hes always been, and thats a playmaker, aggressive, emotional.dddddddddddd. "I think our defence could use a little of that. Dwights somebody you have to account for and always know where hes at because he can change the game. You make one mistake, he can take it the other way." Milanovich said the Argos cant afford take Calgary for granted. "If we think the fact Jon isnt playing can give us an opportunity to relax, thats going to burn us," Milanovich said. "Calgary has proven over the years their depth is as good as anybodys. "Theyve always been able to slip guys in, even at quarterback, and still have success and not miss a beat. They (Argos players) know how much I respect this team and this coaching staff and anybody who has been in the league long enough should have the same respect for them." Toronto is also hurting offensively as receivers Andre Durie (clavicle) and Jason Barnes (knee) wont play. Rookies Anthony Coombs — the Argos 14 first-round draft pick — and Darvin Adams will step in at slotback and wide receiver, respectively. Defensively, Matt Ware returns at cornerback from the injured list while safety Jermaine Gabriel gets a second straight start with incumbent Matt Black injured. Milanovich said, like Calgary, the Argos have always managed to get solid play from their backups and hes expecting the same Saturday. "Its become the expectation here with the players in the locker-room," Milanovich said. "It doesnt necessarily make you feel all that warm and fuzzy but Ive got to the point where I trust that the next guy is going to step up and do his job and I think a large part of that is how our team handles it. "They dont blink, they have faith in the guys next to them. I expect those guys to play well." Both starting quarterbacks are coming off solid performances. Torontos Ricky Ray threw for 407 yards and three touchdowns against Saskatchewan last weekend. Mitchell finished 16-of-25 passing for 313 yards and two TDs in a season-opening 29-8 win over Montreal on June 28. The Stamps had a bye last week. Mitchell is 4-0 as a starter but Anderson said the Calgary quarterback is a dual threat. "Bo is a scrambler," he said. "If things break down he can get out on the edge . . . stay with your guy and lock on because what hes looking for once he starts scrambling is that open receiver when they go to their scramble offence. "But if you lock on and let the front do their work then everything will be all right." Mitchell will make his third career start on the road and said he relishes playing away from McMahon Stadium. "Its harder to win on the road and I think thats why I take such a challenge to it," he said. "I think theres nothing better in football than silencing a stadium . . . its a great feeling." ' ' '