Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam repeats as Player of the Week

Every Sunday we bring you the Toronto Raptors player of the week. This week once again belongs to Pascal Siakam, who had another career-high in a strong week.

A lot of players are culpable of checking out the week of the All-Star break, dreaming of a weeks vacation or a trip to Charlotte. Pascal Siakam was not one of those players, as he helped lead the Toronto Raptors to a 2-0 week.

The Raptors are now on a six-game winning and riding high as they look to keep pace with the Milwaukee Bucks atop of the Eastern Conference, behind by a single game.

The additions of Jeremy Lin and Marc Gasol could be paramount to the Raptors making a real run at the NBA Championship, as Fred VanVleet was ruled out for five weeks after undergoing surgery. However, as long as Pascal Siakam is playing at a highly competitive level the Raptors stand a chance against anyone.

Pascal Siakam’s Week

Pascal Siakam stepped up to the plate when needed in this short week, averaging 30 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

The Raptors came up against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, in what turned out to be a fun game for all involved. A high-scoring game was on the agenda, with the Raptors running out 127-125 winners, courtesy of Kawhi Leonard calling game. With four seconds left, Kyle Lowry fed a pass to Leonard at the top of the key. Leonard took two dribbles and hit a fadeaway jump shot that banked in off of the backboard. Ball game.

Pascal showed up on both ends of the court for the Raptors, he had 17 points on 6-13 shooting. Not his usual efficient shooting percentages but Siakam still had a positive impact on the game. He moved the ball around effectively too, adding four assists to his game.

When he shared the court with Marc Gasol, Siakam was willing to work as a valuable cutter to play into Gasol’s strengths, something that could be vital come playoff time.

The next game is where Siakam locked up this weeks award, scoring a career-high 44 points against the Washington Wizards. The seventh time this season Siakam has set a career-high.

Siakam was a menace in all three shooting stages, shooting 80-percent from three with four makes, as well as living at the free-throw line, shooting 10-12. With Kawhi Leonard out with left knee soreness, Siakam stepped up when the Raptors needed him the most and led the team with a great second half performance.

What a shame that Pascal wasn’t participating in the NBA Skills Challenge at the All-Star Weekend but that’s our loss.

Who missed the cut

There were a few players who earned the right to be crowned Player of the Week, none more so than OG Anunoby, who also put forward a career-high against the Washington Wizards. Anunoby’s 22 points were pertinent to the Raptors comeback in the second half, his three-point shooting was on the money all night.

Marc Gasol also sprang into life early on as a Raptor. His performance against the Brooklyn Nets was entirely demonstrative of why the Raptors went out of their way to acquire him. A willing passer, defender and shooter, Marc Gasol gives the Raptors a little bit of everything they need.

Make sure to check out the Raptors Player of the Week every Sunday at RaptorsRapture.com