What the Golden State Warriors can learn from the Magic, 76ers and Bucks

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors plays defense against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors on November 29, 2018 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors plays defense against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors on November 29, 2018 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

For the fifth-straight season, the Golden State Warriors will have to prepare for the NBA Finals. This time may be easier than any of the previous four.

The Golden State Warriors have a template for success in the 2019 NBA Finals. They just need to learn from what has worked for Toronto’s other postseason opponents. This will give them a clear way to defeat the Eastern Conference champions.

The Raptors have played a five-game, seven-game and six-game series against the Magic, 76ers and Bucks respectively. It was shocking to the third-seeded Sixers pose more of a threat than the Bucks.

Ultimately, the Raptors were able to get by two top-three seeds in the East.

They did so behind outstanding play from Kawhi Leonard. Along with timely shots and performances from Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakim, Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol and Kyle Lowry, the Raptors were able to edge out the league’s best regular season team.

After being haunted by the curse of LeBron for almost a decade, the Raptors clawed their way to the top following his exodus to Los Angeles. Now, they’ll have a chance to play for the crown, but Golden State will have other plans.

That said, while it may be difficult to stop the Leonard-led Raptors, the Warriors should look to the past to lead them through the NBA Finals.