NBA Playoffs 2019: Power ranking the first-round matchups

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 29: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons on January 29, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 1: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors battle for a rebound with Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on April 1, 2019 in Toronto, 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

7. Toronto Raptors vs. Orlando Magic

Playoff failures have come to define the Toronto Raptors in recent years. Against the Orlando Magic, they’ll have the chance to prove this year is different.

Although the Raptors posted the best record in franchise history last season, a second-round sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers caused general manager Masai Ujiri to embark upon a massive overhaul. Out went head coach Dwane Casey and longtime star DeMar Derozan; in came Nick Nurse, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.

One 58-24 season later, Toronto appears poised to make a deep playoff run. However, Orlando won’t go down in the first round without a fight.

The Magic finished with the league’s eighth-best defense in the regular season, as versatile forwards Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac tend to wreak havoc on that end of the floor. Most Improved Player front-runner Pascal Siakam had perhaps his worst game of the year against Orlando in late December—a four-point, 1-of-8 shooting debacle in a 29-point rout.

While Gordon, Isaac and All-Star center Nikola Vucevic won’t make life easy on Toronto, the Raptors should be able to out-talent the Magic over the course of this series. If Gordon and Isaac succeed in stifling Leonard and Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol loom large as potential difference-makers.

But if the Magic steal one of the first two games in Toronto, questions about the Raptors’ playoff psyche will begin anew.

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