The Raptors didn’t reach the playoffs this year, but that doesn’t mean the team north of the border isn’t impacting the postseason.
Their two former forwards, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, will play pivotal roles in the upcoming Eastern Conference semifinal between the Knicks and the Pacers.
Both were dealt to prior to the trading deadline, and now the two friends and former teammates will meet up with so much on the line.
“Yeah, it’ll be weird,” Anunoby said Saturday. “I never played against him. He’s always been my teammate, so it’ll be weird, but it’ll be cool, I’m sure. He’s looking forward to it, too.”
Both made an impact in their new homes.
Since acquiring the 6-foot-7 Anunoby on Dec. 30, the Knicks went 24-5, including their opening-round playoff series victory over the 76ers, when he plays.
Anunoby averaged 15.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in the series, in addition to playing his trademark lockdown defense.
The 6-8 Siakam was terrific in the Pacers’ series victory over the Bucks, posting 22.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists, and became a major part of Indiana’s top-ranked offense after coming over in a Jan. 17 trade.
This will be new for both of them.
Even during scrimmages in practice with the Raptors, they rarely guarded one another because they were often on the same team.
“I know some stuff,” Anunoby said. “He’s a great player. I think everyone knows that. … He’s made a big impact. Plays both ends. Can score, he can rebound, he can pass. He can do everything.”
Slowing down the Pacers will be challenging.
They averaged a league-high 123.3 points during the regular season and were second in offensive rating (120.5). Indiana won two of three regular-season meetings over the Knicks, and averaged 123.3 points in those contests.
Anunoby, however, didn’t play in any of those games.
“Obviously, having him will make a difference,” Jalen Brunson said. “I’m excited, he’s healthy. I’m excited he’s back with us. It’s going to be a great matchup.”
The Knicks figure to use Anunoby in a lot of different ways.
He won’t just be defending his former teammate.
He figures to guard Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton as well.
Against the 76ers, he went from hounding Tyrese Maxey on the perimeter to Joel Embiid in the paint.
That’s what has made Anunoby so valuable to the Knicks: his versatility at both ends of the floor.
The Knicks’ success since his arrival speaks for itself.
“I mean, he can do things on the court that are kind of hard to teach,” Brunson said. “Obviously, having the athleticism, the length, to cover ground the way he does is remarkable. I think he has the confidence as well just because he’s done it so many times.”