The MVP of the night | Pascal Siakam, a new prince in New York

With six straight losses and a fall in the standings in the East, the Raptors were plunged into gloom. They showed up at Madison Square Garden hoping to get out. And he’s their leader, Pascal Siakamwho undertook to make them smile again.

” Pascal, of course, was incredible. He stayed super aggressive and he played on the right tempo begins by describing in a nutshell Nick Nurse. Author of a first “jumper” in “stepback”, from the free throw line, against Mitchell Robinson, whom he often overtook, the strong winger showed a whole range of finishes.

Without much outside address (2/6), the Cameroonian was unstoppable near the circle. Staggered support in transition to clear a path to the circle in transition, offensive rebounds before returning to the circle, fouls caused… Pascal Siakam has done a gigantic job in the opponent’s paint.

” Everyone encouraged me to continue my effort », reports the hero of the eveningby adding : ” I tried to control the game. It’s not just about scoring, it’s about defending, trying to get the rebounds, involving my teammates… I feel like I’m developing in that aspect of my game. »

“My team needed every basket”

This is evidenced by his 9 rebounds captured and his 7 assists, confirming in passing his most complete season in his current career. ” He deserves 8 more assists. He finishes with 7, which is already very good. Before the game, he was already averaging 7 assists but he should be averaging almost 10 per game, to be honest “Judge Nick Nurse, in reference to the many fixations-passes of his interior, for 3-point shooters.

The fact remains that of this New York evening, his most impressive statistic is obviously his total points: 52 units, his career record, with absolute cleanliness (17/25 on shots including 2/6 from afar and 16/18 free throws). This is the first time since January 2019 and the passage of a certain James Harden (61 points) that an opposing player has planted 50 or more points at Madison.

” It’s cool. I’m not a great basketball historian. I started basketball late, but I know how special this room is. The most important thing is that my team needed every basket to win, which is the most important thing for me “, appreciates the MVP of the evening, who hopes that his team will be able to build on this performance.

His personal achievement allows him in any case to increase his average points for the season to 26 points per game, which is his best average in his career, by far.