Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam steps up with dominant effort in Game 3

By David Morassutti

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 19: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a score against the Orlando Magic during Game Three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at the Amway Center on April 19, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The Raptors defeated the Magic 98 to 93. 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. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 19: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a score against the Orlando Magic during Game Three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at the Amway Center on April 19, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The Raptors defeated the Magic 98 to 93. 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. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With Kawhi Leonard struggling with an illness, Pascal Siakam gave the Toronto Raptors a much-needed boost to take a 2-1 series lead over the Orlando Magic.

After losing home court advantage with a loss in Game 1, the Toronto Raptors turned the tables in Game 3 with a 98-93 win on the road against the Orlando Magic.

You got the sense after a blowout win in Game 2, the Raptors were getting their groove back at both ends of the court especially Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry. In Game 3, it was Pascal Siakam‘s turn to make a statement.

More from Tip of the Tower

Spicy P was by far the best player from start to finish with 30 points, 10 rebounds, four assists in 42 minutes. The encouraging sign was seeing the 25-year-old going 3-for-4 from beyond the arc something he struggled with in the first two games of the series.

This is something you could not have seen the Cameroonian doing last season. He has always brought a great defensive effort but the biggest improvement has been on the offensive side of the ball.

 According to Ben Rohrbach of Yahoo Sports, the last Raptors player to score 30 or more points while adding 10 rebounds in a playoff game was Chris Bosh back in 2008.

What’s even more impressive? Here’s a tweet below looking at how many players have had 30 points and 10 assists in the post-season since 2015.

The important part is the fact that the Magic hadn’t lost a game at home since Feb. 22, to get the win on the road and the important part was getting off to a good start. Granted, Orlando pushed hard in the second half but Siakam gave them the extra boost they needed in the end.

Head coach Nick Nurse told the media after the game that Leonard has been dealing with an illness and missed practice the past couple of days. That would explain why he didn’t have a similar effort from Game 2 where he scored 37 points in an efficient 33 minutes.

Despite playing more minutes, Leonard had 16 points from 5-of-19 shooting but also had 10 rebounds. Luckily for the Raptors, Siakam took care of the offence but going forward, the team is going to need more from the other starters like Marc Gasol, Lowry, and Danny Green.

Next. Raptors looking to put Magic away early. dark

What did you think about the Raptors’ effort in Game 3? Can Siakam continue his dominant play? Let us know in the comments below. 

Home/Toronto Raptors