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Takeaways from the Toronto Raptors Norman Powell-fueled win against the Cavaliers

By Michael Walton

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 16: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a dunk during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 16, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Peter Power/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 16: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a dunk during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 16, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Peter Power/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Pascal Siakam (Photo by Peter Power/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Pascal Siakam’s shooting makes him a SERIOUS matchup problem for opponents

This season Pascal Siakam was given the challenge of taking on an even larger share of the Toronto Raptors offense in the absence of Toronto sports legend Kawhi Leonard. No small feat. But Siakam has dominated this year and a big reason why is his incredible development as a shooter, which was on full display on Monday night.

Siakam went 5-for-8 from the 3-point line on Monday, and they came in a variety of ways. The Toronto Raptors’ first points of the game were a 3-pointer from Siakam in which he calmly dribbled up court and pulled up on a relaxed (and shocked) Tristan Thompson.

In his 36 minutes of playing time, Siakam hit catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, 3-pointers in transition and off of screens. He even nailed a nice 3-pointer over Larry Nance Jr. at the end of the third quarter where he first froze him with a beautiful jab step before raising up for 3.

The reason Siakam being such a great 3-point shooter—and he is at a career-best 38.1-percent from 3-point range through 26 games—is a big deal is because of just how effective he is finishing at the rim, made even more dangerous by his timely cuts to the basket.

With the combination of (still developing) skills that Siakam is currently working with, he is a steady leading man even when shots aren’t falling, as he makes up for it with his passing and general high-IQ plays. But on nights where everything is working? “Spicy P” is virtually unguardable. He was one of the NBA players you follow on Instagram throughout the offseason to watch his workouts or games in the infamous Rico Hines runs. But unlike many of those players, you can see that individual skill work translating on to the court for Siakam.

Siakam is a lock for the NBA All-Star game at this point, his production, and standing as the best player on the reigning NBA Champions will carry him to Chicago.

Next. Is Pascal Siakam a top-10 player in the NBA?. dark

But even with a no-frills All-Star appearance, there will still be much doubt as far as this Raptors team making a return to the NBA Finals. If Siakam continues to turn in performances like Monday night’s 33-point, 4-rebound, 4-assist destruction of the Cavs, then those doubts will slowly, but surely, start to fade.

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