Who should start for the Toronto Raptors if Pascal Siakam is out?

Serge Ibaka

The most structurally different choice available, Nick Nurse could elect to get big with Siakam out. The Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka combination has shared the court for only a total of 31 minutes all season. They’ve appeared in 15 games together, typically playing only a few minutes at a time.

During that time, they’ve statistically been good, finishing with a +6.4 NetRating. However, 31 minutes isn’t a large enough sample size to determine anything and watching them on the court, it looks clunky. The unit lacks spacing, playmaking, and fluidity on offense. Defensively, Serge looks out-of-place on the perimeter.

Ibaka in the starting lineup would help one of the Raptors biggest issues this series, their inability to secure the glass. With Ibaka, Gasol, and Kawhi Leonard all in the starting unit, Toronto also becomes extremely large in the frontcourt, a useful tool to combat the size of the massive 76ers.

But if you think the offense has been ugly through three games, it won’t get any prettier with Ibaka at the four.

The two-man combination has struggled offensively in limited minutes so far this season and watching them play, you can see why it doesn’t work. Gasol and Ibaka occupy many of the same spots on offense. Both work best when playing center.

Also, are we sure it will work defensively? The most favorable matchup Toronto can give Ibaka is Tobias Harris. Do you trust Ibaka’s ability to navigate screens and chase around a 40-percent three-point shooter? I certainly don’t.

Ibaka and Gasol probably have to share the court for a few minutes if Siakam is out. However, it shouldn’t be against the starting unit. Allow Ibaka to match up with James Ennis or Mike Scott, and try to find a starting power forward elsewhere.