Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam has to play like a star in Game 3

If the Toronto Raptors are going to upset the Golden State Warriors, they’re going to need Pascal Siakam to bounce-back in Game 3

If there was one difference from the Toronto Raptors’ dominant Game 1 victory to their loss in Game 2 – other than their overall poor shooting performance – it was the fact that Pascal Siakam had a rough night. That’s putting it lightly.

Just two days removed from dropping 32 points on 14-17 shooting from the field, Siakam scored just 12 points on 5-18 shooting from the field in Game 2. While the Raptors still had their fair amount of opportunities to “steal” Game 2 and take a 2-0 series lead, the play of Siakam might’ve been the ultimate difference.

And if the Raptors are going to be able to bounce back on the road, with Games 3 and 4 in Golden State, they’re going to need Siakam to play like a star.

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Whether you believe he is one at this point in his young career or not is irrelevant. If the Raptors are going to take down arguably the most dominant team in NBA history, they’re going to need more than Kawhi Leonard to pull off the feat as was evident in Game 2.

Despite falling to the Warriors, who tied the series at one game apiece heading into Game 3, Kawhi scored a game-high 34 points. It still wasn’t enough, however. The Raptors, as a team, struggled from the field, shooting just 37 percent from the field and 29 percent from 3-point range.

Siakam is the type of player that has shown time and time again throughout the playoffs that he can be the ultimate difference maker. He offers mismatches on both ends of the floor and is a player that the Warriors struggle to defend. Even a defensive player as dynamic and versatile as Draymond Green.

While Siakam might be the key to the Raptors, there are certainly a few other outside factors that can impact the remainder of the Finals too. As we know, Kevin Durant could make his return at any given moment, and, if I had to guess, I’d expect him to make a return to the Warriors’ lineup in Game 3 or 4.

He’s going to give the Warriors a huge shot in the arm and could end up being the shut door difference, in the end, however, if the Raptors are going to combat in any way it’s going to be with Siakam playing like the star he can be.

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Pascal Siakam needs to have a huge bounce-back Game 3 if the Raptors are going to steal back homecourt advantage, even more so if Kevin Durant makes his illustrious return this week.

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