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Takeaways: Toronto Raptors use big night from Serge Ibaka to dispatch Pistons

By Michael Walton

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 18: Pascal Siakam #43, and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors hi-five each other against the Detroit Pistons on December 18, 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 18: Pascal Siakam #43, and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors hi-five each other against the Detroit Pistons on December 18, 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Serge Ibaka (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Big-time Ibaka

Serge Ibaka returned from an ankle injury back on December 1 but 17 days later is when he truly appeared to be back. Against the Pistons—who Ibaka has done particularly well against this season—Ibaka played the most minutes (31) he has since October 30 and the took the most field goal attempts (18) he has all season. But it wasn’t a selfish, “prove it” performance for Ibaka, he simply dominated doing the things he does best—doing damage at the rim and in the midrange area—and looked healthy while doing it.

Ibaka went 6-for-6 at the rim, 2-for-4 in the midrange, and 4-for-5 from the free-throw line.  Although he only shot 1-for-4 from the 3-point line, it was nice to see him aggressive and trying to keep defenses honest from deep despite not shooting great from 3-point range on the year (31.7-percent). He had 13 rebounds and 2 assists to go along with his season-best scoring output.

The big night from Ibaka was a central part of the Raptors not missing a beat without Gasol, who has been so focal to their team on both sides of the ball. Ibaka finished the night a Gasol-like, team-leading +17 in his 31 minutes of playing time.

Whether Gasol is out for an extended stretch or just a (hopefully) precautionary game or two (or not all), Raptors’ head honcho Nick Nurse is going to need Ibaka’s rebounding, defense, and timely scoring. But confident nights like Wednesday show that Ibaka’s scoring isn’t just timely, it can be explosive depending on the matchup and when the game calls for it.

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