Suns routed by Siakam, Raptors in return to play
TORONTO -- The defending NBA champions came out of the NBA all-star break looking like they want to start another long winning streak.
The Raptors led by as many as 26 points in the first half of their 118-101 win Friday night over Phoenix before a sellout crowd of 19,800 at Scotiabank Arena.
First-time all-star Pascal Siakam scored 25 of his 37 points in the first half as Toronto (41-15) was coming off a Feb. 12 loss at Brooklyn that snapped a franchise-best 15-game winning streak.The Raptors came back from the break without Marc Gasol (ham
string) and Normal Powell (hand), but took it to the Suns, who were as close to healthy as they’ve been in months.
Only Frank Kaminsky III was out with injury as Aron Baynes (hip), Dario Saric (ankle) and Deandre Ayton (ankle) all returned. Suns coach Monty Williams played 10 players in the first quarter, 11 total in the first half, but trailed, 67-43, at the half.
With Drake in attendance, the Raptors shot 53.2% from the field while Phoenix (22-34) connected on 35.3% of its shots, going 2-of-19 from 3.
Siakam hit five threes by himself in the first half.
Devin Booker points.
Player of the game: Pascal Siakam
The last time Phoenix played in Canada, Siakam hit the game winner to beat the Suns, but he wasn’t a great player, yet. Just a really good one, who showed signs of becoming a great player.
A year later, Siakam is one of the game’s best player after winning NBA Most Improved last season. A first-time all-star, Siakam was unguardable in the first half when Toronto had its way with Phoenix.
Key moments
led
Phoenix with 21
Fourth quarter: Phoenix cut Toronto’s lead down to six, 96-90, as Ayton beat the shot clock with a pullup jumper, but the Raptors responded with a 6-0 spurt to go back up double digits as Siakam capped it with clear-out shot over Cam Johnson.
The Suns then worked Toronto’s lead down to seven, 102-95, but missed out on three opportunities to score. Siakam blocked Bridges’ layup, Booker missed a 3 and Bridges missed a 3. The Raptors scored five points in that stretch to go up 12 points again with 4:04 left in the game.
Toronto extended that 5-0 spurt to 9-2 run as Siakam had back-to-back dunks to put the Raptors ahead, 111-97, with 2:44 left.
Third quarter: The Suns had a 24point Toronto lead down to 13 and had a chance to trim it down even more, but Deandre Ayton missed two free throws with seven minutes left in the quarter.
The Raptors answered with a 7-2 spurt to take a 82-64 lead with 4:49 left in the quarter as Kyle Lowry hit a 3 and fed Richard Hollis-Jefferson for two in transition.
First half: Phoenix trailed by as many as 26 points in the half after shooting 2-of-19 from 3 and being outrebounded 27-19.
Serge Ibaka and Terence Davis each had 11 for Toronto. The Suns were outscored, 36-20, in the second quarter.
What did we learn about the Suns?
Ten players saw action for Phoenix in the first quarter. Then Ty Jerome got some run in the second quarter and second half.
Williams clearly wanted to see what he had with the return of Baynes, Saric and Ayton, but now he must figure out a rotation. That wasn’t going to happen in one game, especially with that game being against the seasoned and cohesive Raptors.
However, Williams went with Jerome in the third quarter, not Elie Okobo.
The backup point guard position remains a problem. Who knows, Jerome could be the answer, but Phoenix has to address this in the offseason.
That could mean parting ways with Okobo, which wouldn’t be a surprise when considering the Suns tried to trade him, Jevon Carter and a firstround pick before the trade deadline to Detroit for Luke Kennard.
Williams keeps saying he doesn’t want to play Booker and Rubio big minutes, but that can’t happen if Suns can’t find a backup point guard to spell Rubio. If that happens, then Rubio can rest and Booker doesn’t have to play the one.