On This Date: Toronto Raptors win Game 7 vs. Miami Heat, advance to first-ever Conference Finals

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Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan

On this date in 2016, the Toronto Raptors defeated the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to advance to the franchise's first ever Conference Finals. 

The Raptors led by just eight points heading into the fourth quarter before stamping their authority on the contest, outscoring the Heat 30-11 in the fourth quarter to register a 116-89 win - the biggest margin of victory in the series.

All five starters scored in double figures for Toronto, led by their All-Star duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. 

Lowry finished with 35 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals on 11-of-20 shooting from the field (55.0%) while DeRozan added a valuable 28 points. 

For the Heat, Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic were the top scorers with 16 points each. 

Since joining the NBA in 1995, this was the franchise's first-ever Conference Finals appearance.

Three years to that date, the Raptors will play the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, only their second appearance at this stage in franchise history. 

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