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The Raptors acquired their huge gunner again, however Pascal Siakam wasn’t fairly able to tackle one of many league’s greatest gunners.
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Kevin Durant, taking part in in his first recreation in Toronto since he tore his Achilles tendon right here in Sport 5 of the NBA Finals in 2019, began sluggish however rapidly discovered his rhythm and contact, ending with a game-high 31 factors in a 116-103 Nets win.
It was the second consecutive residence loss for the Raptors, who had gained 5 earlier than returning residence. The Raptors fell to 6-5 whereas Brooklyn improved to 7-3.
The Siakam return after practically six months off following shoulder surgical procedure was about what one would anticipate from a man itching to get again on the courtroom.
Siakam was his previous self at occasions, driving into the paint and spinning off his defender solely to kiss one off the glass for a rating. However his return additionally got here at a value to what had been a defence that was in lock step with each other.
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Clearly the Nets expertise and personal expertise stage had one thing to do with it, however Brooklyn shot 43% from three within the recreation, accounting for 51 of their factors within the recreation.
Blake Griffin, not precisely the man you’d anticipate to paved the way in that class, had 4 from distance whereas Durant, Joe Harris, Patty Mills and James Harden all had three triples, concentrating on an space of weak spot within the Raptors defensive armour.
The one reveal left for the Siakam return was how they’d match him again into the lineup.
Seems, it was proper again with the starters with Valuable Achiuwa going to the bench and the Raptors going small with Siakam, OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes within the entrance courtroom.
Siakam solely performed 10 minutes within the first half and 25 minutes total. The transfer appeared to be pay dividends for Achiuwa, who had seven factors and 5 boards in his 14 minutes of that first half and completed with 13.
