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

By Nathan Beighle

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 Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic

Within the last few weeks of the season, the Orlando Magic punched their ticket to the playoffs. They edged out the Pistons as well, securing the No. 7 seed. Gifted the Raptors in the first round, the Magic rocked the NBA world with a Game 1 victory.

Although they were then swept to securely close the series in five games, there are takeaways that the Warriors can bring into the Finals.

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That said, the first of those is that leaving Pascal Siakam open is an option.

The Magic won Game 1, in part, because he went 0-for-4 from deep. Their players did excel in Game 1 as well, one reason they weren’t able to duplicate their success in Game 2 although Siakam missed all three shots from deep.

While obvious, a second takeaway is that you must make a high percentage of your shots to beat Toronto. They’re a top-two defense in the NBA because of their effort on that end, and oftentimes, that effort is reflected in the opponent’s percentages.

The Magic won every playoff game in which they shot over 40% from deep. Yes, they only did that once, but the Warriors, a team with elite three-point shooting, should be able to consistently rain from deep.

On a side note, the three games in which the Raptors allowed a team to shoot over 35.5% from deep, Toronto lost. The Warriors have shot over that percentage in half of their games this postseason.

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