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Siakam’s return sparks Raptors in win over Cleveland

DOUG S MITH

The first drive included a bit of a spin move and a converted layup followed immediately by a fullcourt scamper after gathering a defensive rebound, an immediate push in transition that yielded an easy seven-foot shot and another basket.

It took Pascal Siakam about 90 seconds to remind everyone precisely what he brings to the Raptors every night when he’s available.

After missing 10 of his team’s 19 regular-season games with a strained adductor muscle, Siakam returned to Scotiabank Arena on Monday night and much seemed more normal around the Raptors.

He filled up the stats sheet as he’s capable of doing — with 18 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in 30 minutes of Toronto’s 100-88 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers — and ignited a thorough performance from a team that just looked more in sync with him at the helm.

“He looked sharp. He’s been in the gym, in the lab working on his game … probably the last week or so,” teammate Fred VanVleet said of Siakam. “After you get through that first part of rehab and recovery, then it’s trying to get your body ready for the on-court work. He really gave us a big boost and carried us, especially in the first quarter.”

O.G. Anunoby had 20 points, VanVleet dropped13, Gary Trent Jr. scored 14 and Scottie Barnes added 11, while Thad Young chipped in 10 in what was a solid overall performance.

Truth is, the result of the game was almost secondary to what the night represented.

With almost a full roster — Precious Achiuwa and Otto Porter Jr. are still out, and they are not inconsequential pieces — the Raptors hope they can now move forward rather than just hoping not to go in reverse. They did a good job in 10 games without Siakam, and a handful with other key pieces missing.

“It felt like the first game of the season (also against Cleveland) all over again, a little déjà vu there,” VanVleet said. “Good to have some familiar faces back.”

Some smooth sailing now would be most welcome.

“We need to get these health issues behind us, though, so we can grow a little bit from where we were looking like we were getting to there,” coach Nick Nurse said before the game. “We were building some rhythm and momentum and confidence. Obviously it’s piecing it together for 10 games (without Siakam), I guess.

“That’s what I look forward to. Your team needs to improve during the season and get to where it can go. We haven’t really been able to get that part of the train rolling yet.”

There were more wrinkles to get through than just the return of Siakam, though, as much as that was the story of the night.

It’s not worth reading much into the fact Barnes came off the bench for the first time in his career in the regular season, because he’s been bothered by knee and ankle woes and minutes management had to be on Nurse’s mind.

The decision to start Juancho Hernangómez rather than Trent, however, was a bit jarring because it was unexpected. Despite Trent’s deep shooting slump — he had been 2-for-22 from three-point range going into Monday night — Nurse seemed determined to stick with him.

“I don’t even realize he’s in a deep, long shooting funk,” Nurse had said Sunday. “I know he can play and score, and we’re going to call his number and he’s gonna get 10, 15 shots again (Monday).”

Trent ended up being the third Raptors sub — after Barnes and Christian Koloko — and played 21 minutes. He made a three-pointer the first time he touched the ball, finishing with 14 points on nine shots.

“It was more of a case of not throwing a whole bunch of guys out there at the same time that are out of rhythm, (who) haven’t played (or) played one game,” Nurse said. “Just trying to keep some balance.”

Hernangómez — who doesn’t do a lot of flashy things but plays a smart, “be in the right place” style — had just five points but also six rebounds in 20 minutes and was a big part of why the Raptors held Cleveland to less than 40 per cent shooting.

“Defence was really good,” Nurse said after the game. “There was a lot of execution, a lot of help for each other, great communication out there defensively most of the night.”

The Siakam factor, though, is what’s going to allow the Raptors to try to regain their form from the first10 games, when they had one of the most efficient offences and scrambling defences in the league.

His scoring is elite — he had a few shots Monday that didn’t seem to even touch the mesh when they went in — but it’s the way he’s able to pick apart defences that puts him at an all-star level.

Now the job is to fully acclimate everyone at a consistent level, to continue to get production from guys such as Young and Hernangómez, both of whom might see a drop-off in their usage now that Siakam and Barnes are back.

“I think it always takes a little time,” Nurse said.

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2022-11-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-11-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

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