Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors won 48 games last season. Very few picked them to win that many games at the start of the prior campaign. Scottie Barnes wasn’t expected to play as well as he did at the start of the season, but many could see he had the potential to be special after opening night.
This is year two for the reigning rookie of the Year. Pascal Siakam started the season on the court, not cheering on the bench. The vibes were…off ever so slightly. The Raptors want to help us forget about that playoff series against the Sixers, and they did an excellent job of doing so.
Toronto defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-105 in a back-and-forth game that saw the Raptors cough up an 11-point lead yet come back and win thanks to a dominant fourth quarter. A strong final quarter from Siakam and O.G. Anunoby was enough to give Toronto the dub.
There were many reasons to come away impressed with the Raptors during their opening night triumph. Here are three takeaways from the game that were made clear and obvious in Toronto’s slugfest against one of the best teams in the East.
3 takeaways from the Toronto Raptors win over the Cavaliers.
3. The Raptors are worth watching for their defense alone
The Raptors are a long and athletic team that often shows up on the defensive end and on fast breaks. This team can get their hands into passing lanes, take the ball away, then race to the other end of the court. That alone can make them appointment viewing.
Their ability to close out on shooters is scary. One second you are lining up your shot, and then the ball is heading to the stands one second later. Many NBA teams don’t even have to worry about this kind of closing speed, but they better be cognizant when they play the Raptors.
The Toronto Raptors have a great defense.
The Raptors blocked three shots on Wednesday and stole the ball 15 times. None of the other teams in the league had more than 12 steals over the NBA’s first two days. Toronto confused and befuddled a Cavs squad that lost Darius Garland early in the game due to injury.
This team should be entertaining to anyone who is a fan of defense, effort, and hustle. I think their defense alone is worth our time, as has been proven over the last few seasons. Project 6-9 is in full effect this season, and the early results are encouraging.
2. Christian Koloko proved he can play right now
Koloko played in his first regular season NBA game on opening night. The rookie impressed many with his play in the preseason, but would his game translate to the regular season? With Khem Birch and Chris Boucher out, giving Koloko some minutes seemed like a prudent move by Nick Nurse.
Koloko entered the game in the first quarter, showing that the mammoth Cameroonian skillset was an integral part of Nurse’s game plan in this matchup. Koloko impacted the game almost instantly, as he blocked Darius Garland with around 3:45 left in the quarter.
Christian Koloko looked impressive for the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors looked like a different team with the seven-footer out there. I think Koloko proved he can protect the rim at the NBA level. His height and mobility could make the Raptors more dangerous on the defensive end if it hasn’t already. The poise he showed for a second-round rookie was incredible.
Koloko played 15 minutes. He finished the game with three points, six rebounds, and one block. The rookie missed three of his four field goal attempts, but these are things that can be ironed out and smoothed over with extra playing time. The raw talent was there, and that’s what you want to see.
1. Pascal Siakam might end this season as a top-20 player
After being forced to start last season on the bench because of injury, Siakam began his 2022 season by putting up 23 points and 11 rebounds against the Cavaliers in Donovan Mitchell’s debut game with the team. Irrespective of his three turnovers in the first quarter. He looked comfortable being “the man.”
The only player on the court who looked like he was in Siakam’s league was Mitchell, who scored 31 points and added nine assists. They were clearly the best two players on the court. Siakam, however, steadied the offensive ship in a way Mitchell did not.
Siakam brought the ball up the court, rebounded, took the ball away from the Cavs a couple of times, and looked like a legitimate point guard at times. In the second and third quarters, Pascal’s scoring was the only half-court offense that worked consistently.
Pascal Siakam is the leader of the Toronto Raptors.
An All-Star in 2019-2020, there’s no reason to assume he won’t make the team again this year if he continues playing at this level and the Raptors continue to win with him leading the way. The robbery we saw last year won’t repeat itself.
Siakam wasn’t perfect. He didn’t shoot the ball amazingly well on Wednesday. He missed four of his eight free throw attempts and was one of three from the three-point line. However, Siakam shot 9-20 from the field. Altogether, Pascal should leave last night happy with his play.