DeRozan, Raptors getting psyched up for playoff run

TORONTO After eight seasons in the NBA, DeMar DeRozan knows that the playoffs require more than just nailing down the Xs and Os of the playbook. He’s going to use the final two games of the Toronto Raptors’ regular season to get himself ready on every level.

“Emotionally, spiritually, physically, locked in completely,” said DeRozan on Friday night. “And understand that it gets real after these next two games.”

DeRozan certainly looked ready in the Raptors’ 96-94 win over the Miami Heat, scoring 38 points to go with six rebounds in Toronto’s last home game of the regular season. He broke Vince Carter’s franchise record with his 31st 30-point game of the season.

The Raptors final two games are on Sunday in New York against the Knicks and Wednesday in Cleveland. Toronto’s opponent in the first round of the playoffs is still to be determined. There are five possible teams as the Eastern Conference’s final standings shake out: Atlanta, Milwaukee, Chicago, Indiana and Miami.

“Come next weekend, it’s a whole different dynamic of basketball,” said DeRozan. “That’s the best part of the year, that’s what you work for, to be playing late April, going into May and so on.

“When you’re a competitor, you look forward to it.”

Canadian point guard Cory Joseph came off the bench with 14 points and three assists for Toronto (49-31), which cut the idle Boston Celtics lead in the Atlantic Division to 1 1/2 games. Former Raptor James Johnson led the Heat (38-41) with 22 points and 10 rebounds.