Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Raptors say Siakam (calf) is doubtful for Game 4

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Saturday, 04 May 2019 11:13

PHILADELPHIA -- Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam suffered a right calf contusion, and has been listed as doubtful for Game 4 of the Raptors' conference semifinals series against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Siakam said on Saturday he hurt the calf in the Raptors' 116-95 loss at Philadelphia in Game 3 on Thursday, but couldn't recall precisely when the injury occurred.

"I don't know exactly when it happened, but after the game I was just like really sore," Siakam said. "I think it calmed down a little bit, then I felt worse."

Siakam hasn't been able to put the leg through much physical activity since Thursday. The calf has been undergoing treatment, including ice as well as light movement therapy, he said.

A favorite to win the NBA's Most Improved Player award, Siakam has emerged as one of the Raptors' most consistent offensive producers behind Kawhi Leonard this postseason. In eight postseason games this spring, Siakam has averaged 22.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists, with an effective field goal percentage of 56.9. Siakam is also a versatile defender who has guarded all five positions for the Raptors at various junctures over the past two postseasons.

Siakam's absence would challenge the Raptors because the team is already without reserve forward OG Anunoby, who underwent an emergency appendectomy just prior to the start of the playoffs.

"With the OG out, it's not the ideal position for us," said Raptors coach Nick Nurse. "We're a little thin there."

Each scenario presents a different complication for Toronto. Nurse suggested Raptors backup guard Fred VanVleet as one option, noting the team had enjoyed success with pace and ball movement when VanVleet has played as part of a three-guard lineup. In 56 minutes on the floor with the starting backcourt and Leonard, lineups featuring VanVleet averaged 116.7 points per 100 possessions, with a net rating of plus-46.8.

Yet replacing Siakam with a perimeter player would put the Raptors at a greater size disadvantage against a Philadelphia team that features exceptional length and has hurt Toronto on the offensive glass.

"Size has been a problem," Nurse said. "We knew coming into the series that they would have size at a lot of positions."

The Raptors could also opt to start backup big man Serge Ibaka, who has struggled in the series. Nurse also suggested as another possibility 6-foot-7 swingman Patrick McCaw, who has seen limited time on the floor since returning from a right thumb injury. Introducing McCaw into the starting lineup would enable the Raptors to preserve their current rotation, Nurse said.

With the Raptors trailing 2-1 in the series and now potentially without their second-most prolific scorer, Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said that it was imperative for the rest of the team to compensate in an effort to help leading scorer Kawhi Leonard.

"Kawhi has been unbelievable in the playoffs, Pascal's been unbelievable in the playoffs," Lowry said on Saturday. "As other players around those guys we need to step up in general, make some shots, be more aggressive, draw some more fouls, try to do some more things to help relieve the little bit of the scoring burden off of them."

Read 1300 times

Soccer

Sources: Tuchel hires Hilario as England GK coach

Sources: Tuchel hires Hilario as England GK coach

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThomas Tuchel is set to add Chelsea goalkeeping coach Hilario to hi...

Son lauds Palestine spirit as example to follow

Son lauds Palestine spirit as example to follow

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTottenham captain Son Heung-Min praised the spirit showed by Palest...

Sheeran aids Ipswich transfer pre-Taylor Swift gig

Sheeran aids Ipswich transfer pre-Taylor Swift gig

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIpswich Town have revealed that pop star and minor shareholder Ed S...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Jenkins becomes Grizzlies' winningest coach

Jenkins becomes Grizzlies' winningest coach

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Taylor Jenkins has moved to the top of the Memphi...

Warriors' Melton to have season-ending surgery

Warriors' Melton to have season-ending surgery

EmailPrintGolden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton will undergo surgery on his left ACL and mis...

Baseball

Is Aaron Judge the best pure home run hitter of all time?

Is Aaron Judge the best pure home run hitter of all time?

EmailOpen Extended ReactionsRemember Aaron Judge? The guy who hit 58 home runs? Had the highest sing...

Sources: New bill seeks to protect minor leaguers

Sources: New bill seeks to protect minor leaguers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSen. Dick Durbin plans to introduce the Fair Ball Act, a bill that...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated