Siakam’s 52 Points Ends the Knicks Win Streak
Pascal Siakam’s career-high 52 points helps the Raptors get pass the red-hot Knicks winning 113-106. Before Wednesday night’s game the Knicks came in on an NBA-leading eight game win streak….
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 21: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2022 in New York City. 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. Toronto Raptors defeated the New York Knicks 113-106. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Pascal Siakam’s career-high 52 points helps the Raptors get pass the red-hot Knicks winning 113-106. Before Wednesday night’s game the Knicks came in on an NBA-leading eight game win streak.
Siakam did more than score he had nine rebounds and seven assists to help the Toronto Raptors end their six-game losing skid. Raptors guard Fred VanVleet scored 28 points and forward O.G. Anunoby had 15 points. The Raptors are 4-16 on the road and this is their first win on the road since Nov. 14.
RJ Barrett scored 30 points, five rebounds and five assists. He also shot 11-19 from the field and 4-6 from downtown. Julius Randle had a double-double with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Immanuel Quickley had 20 points on 7-10 shooting, this was his first start of the season in place for Quinten Grimes. Every starter had 10 points or more except Brunson who struggled with his shot. He had seven points on 3-14 shooting, but he was facilitating and dished out 12 assists.
Barrett kept New York in the game with 19 first half points. As a team they shot 53% from the field but had 11 turnovers.
In the fourth quarter Toronto led by as many as 11 points before the Knicks went on a 17-5 run to take a 102-101 lead. Siakam had a great game all night until the fourth. The Knicks were able to hold him to nine points and one field goal in the quarter. VanVleet is the reason the Raptors escaped New York with a win. Scored 10 points and hit two threes in the fourth for Toronto to close the game on a 12-5 run.
Siakam’s 52 points is tied for second most in Raptors franchise history and is the most scored at Madison Square Garden since James Harden’s 61 in 2019. Siakam in his previous game was great scoring 38 points in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He is the first player in Raptors history to average 45 points over a two game span.
During their win streak the Knicks only allowed 98 points to be scored by opponents. They had no answer for Siakam. Every time he touched the paint and put up a shot it was either going in or he was going to the free throw line. He scored 43 points in three quarters and scored the final 17 points in the third quarter over a seven-minute span.
The Knicks next game will be at home against the Chicago Bulls on Friday.
