Sports

Siakam resembles all-star self as Raptors use complete effort to beat Mavericks

Published

1 year ago

November 9, 2023

DALLAS — Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam and head coach Darko Rajakovic want the same thing: for their team to win, and for the two-time all-NBA forward to play the kind of basketball that he’s capable of playing.

One can’t happen without the other. Siakam has been the Raptors’ leading scorer for the last four seasons and has also been among the leaders in assists. He’s averaged 22.9 points a game over that stretch on 47.7 per cent shooting as the team’s primary option. But so far this season, he’s fourth on the Raptors in scoring, averaging just 15.4 points a game on 41.2 per cent shooting which would be a career low by a margin, just as his scoring would be by far the lowest average of his career since he became a full-time starter in his third season. The Raptors want to spread the offence around more this season, but they still need Siakam to be a primary driver of it.

“I think for us to be great as a team — obviously Scottie [Barnes] is doing amazing and he’s playing at an unbelievable level. (But) I think, for me, I have to play at a high level for us to be successful anyway,” said Siakam.

His head coach wasn’t beside Siakam as he was speaking, but you could almost sense Rajakovic nodding.

“It would be a huge help. I think it’s coming. It’s the start of the year, it’s a different style of play, he’s going through adjustments, but at the same time he is really trying to do the right thing. He’s trying to move the ball, he’s trying to find his teammates and that kind of took away a little bit from his aggressiveness,” said Rajakovic. “The last two days I’ve talked to him like, ‘You better be aggressive first’. Aggressive to score, aggressive to attack the rim, to shoot the ball. And if they put two on you, then it’s common sense to find your teammate, but he is just testing the waters, I think. I think very soon, hopefully tonight, he’s going to take off.”

Both men were proven prophetic as the Raptors enjoyed their best win of the young season, with Siakam playing his best yet as Toronto left Dallas with a 127-116 victory. Siakam led the Raptors with a season-high 31 points as Toronto improved to 4-4 on the year and 2-1 on their four-game road trip that concludes in Boston on Saturday. It was just the second loss of the season for the Mavericks, who fall to 6-2 on the year.

It was an exceptional team effort by the Raptors, their most complete one of the season. O.G. Anunoby continued his excellent start to the year, scoring 26 (9-of-17) points while also making life difficult as Luka Doncic’s primary defender, forcing the Mavericks star to grind for his 31 points and eight assists as he shot 11-of-26 from the floor and committed four turnovers. Anunoby was recognized by the coaching staff as the player-of-the-game, earning the decorative chain that goes with it for his two-way effort. Scottie Barnes was sniffing a triple-double on what was a poor shooting night for him as he finished with 14 points (on 4-of-15 shooting) but added 13 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks. Dennis Schröder was a formidable two-way presence, and it was the best showing of the season by the Raptor bench as the four who logged the most minutes all finished in positive territory. Gary Trent Jr. had 16 points in 26 minutes and Chris Boucher was at his hustling, energizing best with 10 points in 15 minutes.

In addition to the win, the game was notable because for the first time this season Siakam looked like the all-star from a year ago — or the all-NBA player from the season before that — as he added 12 rebounds, five assists and a long list of good plays that don’t have number attached to them.

“He’s been putting a lot of work in. I’m seeing him every single day, how he practices, how he prepares himself,” said Rajakovic. “He did a really, really good job. He gave us a really amazing spark in the first half and just continued down the stretch, making the right plays. He was all over. He was rebounding. He was making assists. He was scoring. He did a great job.”

Siakam came out determined to make his presence felt, but it was a little dicey at first. He missed two triples and a long jumper and then another triple by the time the game was six minutes old. None of them were close. Siakam then began doing what he’s always done well, particularly early in his career when the offence didn’t necessarily run through him, and he found ways to score in the cracks, seams and margins. He squirted free for a lay-up. He gave the ball up on the break and scored on the tip-in on his teammates’ miss. The Raptors found him with some mismatches in the post and he delivered. By the time the quarter was done, he had 10 points, nearly all of them by being opportunist and hustling. The Raptors withstood a powerful early surge led by their stars, Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and trailed just 33-27 when it looked like Dallas was poised to blow them out.

Siakam had plenty of help, too. Anunoby picked up right where he left off in the Raptors’ big win over the San Antonio Spurs. The hybrid lineups made up of one or two starters and bench players more than held their own. Boucher was dusted off for the first time in two games and scored seven points in five second quarter minutes, and Siakam kept bringing it. In one quick sequence, he scored at the rim after Jakob Poeltl found him on duck in, then bullied a smaller Tim Hardaway Jr. in the post before scoring on a fast break, all of which contributed to the Raptors taking a 62-58 lead into the half. Siakam had 16 points.

All the action at the rim and in the paint was also part of the discussion as the Raptors had two days to dissect Siakam’s disappointing 2-of-12 outing against the Spurs on Sunday. Siakam has been shooting just 30 per cent on shots from three to 16 feet so far this year, while he converted 47 per cent of them last season.

Could he be hesitating? Overthinking?

Whatever the cause, Siakam decided to put it to the side and let his game speak.

“I always trust who I am as a player. My instincts are good. I always play the game the right way,” he said. “But at the same time, for me to get to where I am today a lot of things happen, and there’s always that reminder that’s it’s always been a journey for me. Things have never been easy for me, and I feel it separate me from a lot of other people. I’m resilient. That’s one thing I know about myself. And when things are muddy and cloudy I like that as a person just because I knew that like, I’m never gonna give up and there’s always going to be a process and I’m gonna want to get better.”

Siakam hasn’t let his offensive struggles affect his defence and nor did he rest on his offence when it was flowing Wednesday night. Down the stretch, Siakam was a big part of an impressive team effort defensively. When Siakam locked up Doncic in the post, forcing a miss that sparked a Raptors break and ended with a Barnes three-point play that put Toronto up by 15 it was emblematic of the team’s commitment on that end when the game was still in doubt.

Another paint score by Siakam — his first points of the fourth quarter but not his only impact — effectively sealed the game, a much-deserved win, and a perfectly-timed return to normal service by a player the Raptors need to have at his best to be at their best.

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Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

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AP cricket:

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Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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