Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 2 loss vs. Milwaukee Bucks

By Ananth Para | May 18, 2019

MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 17, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images). /

2. Not so spicy P

After the breakout party that was the regular season, Pascal Siakam, affectionately called “Spicy P,” seemed destined to take his career to star status with a strong showing in his first playoffs as a core member of the starting five.

Siakam showed out in the opening round against the Orlando Magic, averaging 22.6 on 53 percent shooting in the five-game series.

Throughout the Eastern Conference semifinals, the ultra-athletic power forward was forced to take on of a more defensive role, seeing his points and field goal percentage drop to 19.4 and 43.7 respectively.

But through two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Most Improved Player favorite is almost unrecognizable.

Spicy P has been toned down drastically, averaging 11.5 points on 37.2 percent shooting.

Not only has the scoring decreased exponentially for a player once heralded as the Toronto Raptors No. 2 option, but Siakam has struggled mightily on the defensive end.

After being relied upon as the most versatile defender on the Raptors’ roster throughout the NBA Playoffs (after Kawhi Leonard), Siakam has struggled with the length and physicality of his defensive assignments from the Bucks.

Far too often in Game 2 whether it was Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton or even Nikola Mirotic, Siakam finds himself overpowered or overwhelmed by the trio and was constantly committing avoidable fouls or reach in fouls with the clock winding down.

If Siakam doesn’t turn up the heat on the Toronto Raptors homestand, things seem dire for the Northerners.

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