Three takeaways from Toronto Raptors first-half inspired win vs Utah Jazz

Welcome back, Serge Ibaka

Positive news is always news you want to hear and the Raptors getting Serge Ibaka back is most certainly good news, even if the stat sheet didn’t necessarily reflect it. Ibaka missed the last 10 games due to a sprained ankle, and while the Raptors survived without him, his presence is certainly appreciated.

Even though he only shot 5-of-14 for 13 points, adding four rebounds and three assists, he hardly missed he beat. Ibaka is all about the energy, crashing the boards and finishing and ones. His shooting touch looked to have evaded him, but he came alive from deep, knocking down 2-of-5 from three, good for 40-percent.

Ibaka’s return to the time is an instant relief, even if Chris Boucher and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson were holding down the fort in his absence. Ibaka is a solid interior presence, a fairly competent shooter and a great rebounder. His game is a lot more refined than Boucher’s and Hollis-Jefferson’s and can fill in for Gasol as a starter when need be.

Before his injury, Ibaka was rolling. Hopefully, he won’t take too long to get back to that. If this game is a sign of things to come, then we might not have to wait too long for that to happen.