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Rankings the Warriors top-five playoff threats

By Nathan Beighle

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after play against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after play against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Anatoliy Cherkasov/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
(Photo by Anatoliy Cherkasov/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors took a gamble on Kawhi Leonard, and it’s paying off in a big way.

This team is a true contender, something most didn’t consider them with the former guard and current Spur DeMar DeRozan leading the charge. The Raptors are currently the East’s second-best team and are above the third-place Sixers by a seven-game margin.

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For the first time in the last few years, Toronto will be a threat to the throne, and they’ll only get there if Kyle Lowry helps carry them. When it comes to their postseason play, he’ll be the X-factor.

Averaging 14.4 points per game, down almost ten from his 2016-2017 season, Lowry has traditionally underperformed in the postseason. He went from averaging over 22 per game to under 16 per game in that career year. He must show up for Toronto.

This season, Toronto has watched the No. 27 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Pascal Siakam, become a star, over doubling his points per game from a season ago. Now averaging 17.0 per game, Siakam will be a huge question mark in the postseason.

Can his stellar play keep up? Can Kawhi, who is currently average a career-high in points per game, take over down the stretch? Can Lowry remember what basketball is?

If a ‘yes’ is the answer to each of those questions, it may be time to actually consider Toronto the team to beat in the East, but those are each huge questions for The Team Up North.

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