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2019 NBA Finals: How do Raptors compare to Warriors’ past 4 opponents?

By Daniel Lubofsky

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: Marc Gasol #33, Kawhi Leonard #2, and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors look on against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 112-101. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: Marc Gasol #33, Kawhi Leonard #2, and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors look on against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 112-101. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors should give the Golden State Warriors a fight in the 2019 NBA Finals, but how do they stack up to previous challengers?

The Golden State Warriors find themselves in the midst of a run no NBA team in the modern era has accomplished. After tearing through the rest of the Western Conference, they’ve advanced to their fifth consecutive appearance in the NBA Finals, where they will face off against the Toronto Raptors.

Having matched up with the Cleveland Cavaliers in each of the last four seasons, the Raptors present a new and interesting challenge for the two-time defending champs, especially upon considering the absence of Kevin Durant.

Kawhi Leonard has turned these playoffs into his own personal coronation, averaging 31.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Kyle Lowry seems to be shedding previous playoff failures after averaging 19.2 points a night on 50.7 percent shooting from the field in the Eastern Conference Finals.

This is a team that ranked fifth during the regular season in both offensive and defensive rating with depth and versatility at every position. Guys like Marc Gasol and Pascal Siakam may not fill up the scoring column, but they, along with the rest of the supporting cast, are sure to have an impact at both ends of the floor.

For as intimidating as Toronto may appear without the reigning two-time Finals MVP, the Dubs are no stranger to elite competition with a championship on the line. Some of those Cavaliers teams posed some real issues that Golden State was forced to overcome … and a few they actually couldn’t.

The Raptors are riding high already in the midst of their most successful season in franchise history, with the ultimate prize still very much within reach. The type of fight they will pose to a historic juggernaut in comparison to previous challengers is a battle the NBA world can’t wait to watch unfold.

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