The Toronto Raptors went 5-5 in their past 10 games, but that was due to the absence of Pascal Siakam. His groin injury kept him out for the better part of three weeks, though that exile finally ended in a Monday night showdown against a very good Cleveland Cavaliers team.
Siakam was not eased back into the offense at all. With Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent Jr. taken out of the starting lineup, the Raptors gave Pascal the ball and simply got out of his way. Considering the results, this proved to be a very solid offensive strategy.
Toronto was able to choke the life out of the Cleveland offense, getting enough timely makes from Siakam and others on offense to win 100-88. Siakam finished the game with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists while playing impeccable interior defense. Of those 18 points, 17 came in the first half.
Pascal and O.G. Anunoby were such a nuisance on defense that Cleveland shot just 38% from the field and Donovan Mitchell mustered just eight points. The Raptors had been winning games by the skin of their teeth in the last few weeks, but this was a much more complete effort thanks to No. 43 coming back.
https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1597399937612124161
NBA Twitter, Toronto Raptors fans loved Pascal Siakam and his return
Even without Jarrett Allen in the fold and coming off a close win against the rival Pistons on Sunday, Cleveland has a very tough defense. That mattered not one iota to Siakam, who was on top of his game once again when his team needed some big moments out of their star.
Yeah Pascal Siakam is insane
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) November 29, 2022
The film grinders out there in the NBA Twitter landscape were awestruck by how the All-NBA forward was able to get his points, as his unique blend of herky-jerky moves and creativity when finishing has made him one of the best offensive players in the game.
Pascal Siakam is back. pic.twitter.com/6de6mMaa9p
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) November 29, 2022
While this might sound like the classic old sportswriter cliche, the defense knew that Pascal Siakam was going to get the ball and couldn’t stop him no matter what. Anunoby got more wide-open shots as a result, leading to him scoring 20 points and hitting four of six 3-pointers.
Those first two buckets by Siakam were great. Missed him so much #rtz #raptors #wethenorth
— Nelson (@nelsonhu) November 29, 2022
The combination of Barnes and Siakam in the lineup makes Toronto so much more versatile and lethal on the offensive side of the ball. While Dalano Banton and Malachi Flynn tried their best when given action, they’re nowhere close to being able to replace either one of these two.
Getting Scottie and Pascal back makes us such a good team. The Raptors just need to stay healthy to compete and we are a threath. #WeTheNorth
— arianne (they/them) @ TIFF23 (@binettea93) November 29, 2022
The Raptors look like their old selves again, which shouldn’t be a surprise. Siakam may have missed time, but his trophy case is going to be packed to the brim with 2022-23 accolades if he keeps this play up.