OG Anunoby Deliberates Facing Former Raptors Teammate Pascal Siakam…
In the upcoming second round of the NBA playoffs, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, who were once teammates on the Toronto Raptors, will square off on Monday night.
This marks a novel experience for Anunoby. For a significant duration, he and Siakam shared the court as part of the Raptors roster, often finding themselves on the same team during practice sessions. Opportunities to compete directly against each other were sparse.
However, that dynamic is about to shift. Anunoby, now with the New York Knicks, is gearing up to confront Siakam’s Indiana Pacers at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday.
Expressing his sentiments to reporters in New York, Anunoby remarked, “It’ll be peculiar, but also intriguing. He’s definitely looking forward to it.”
Having observed Siakam’s gameplay closely over time, Anunoby disclosed having picked up a few defensive strategies. Nonetheless, he acknowledges the formidable challenge of being tasked as the primary defender against Siakam.
“He’s versatile. He excels in scoring, rebounding, passing – he’s an all-around player. So, he significantly strengthens their lineup,” Anunoby remarked regarding Siakam, who joined the Pacers in January.
While Siakam and the Pacers faced the Knicks twice post the trade from Toronto, Anunoby was absent from both encounters, making this impending matchup their inaugural official clash.
“I have some insights, but he’s an exceptional player. I think that’s widely recognized,” Anunoby stated.
The upcoming series poses a heightened challenge for Siakam, who demonstrated prowess against Bobby Portis and the Milwaukee Bucks in the initial round. Anunoby, renowned for his defensive prowess on the wing, recently showcased his capabilities against Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in the first round.
Anticipate Anunoby assuming a significant defensive role against Siakam in the first round as well. While Siakam primarily defended Precious Achiuwa, a former Raptors forward, when Indiana faced the Knicks earlier this season, Anunoby’s return has relegated Achiuwa to a less prominent role as of late.
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