Toronto at New Orleans
Time: 7 PM CT (NBA LP)
Spread: TOR -7.5
Total: 232
Odds c/o 5dimes
TOR
Toronto now becomes a very scary team on paper with its addition of Marc Gasol. The Raptors will have a three-man rotation at the 4/5 spots featuring Serge Ibaka, Pascal Siakem and Gasol. Additionally, OG Anunoby moonlights at the 4-spot, and Greg Monroe adds further depth. The Raptors are now filling out a top-flight rotation that can absolutely win the Eastern Conference, particularly with its perpetual thorn-in-the-side of LeBron James taking his talents out westward to L.A.
No matter what the Raptors do with Gasol, finding time for Siakem will remain a priority. He is making a run for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award this season, averaging 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks/steals per game. Over his last five games, Siakem has tallied 19 points and six boards and the Raptors have won three of those contests. His athleticism and feel for the game are undeniable, and he has become a crucial part of the Raptors attack.
Over the course of the season, Siakem is shooting 55.7 percent from the field on 10.8 field goal attempts per game and absolutely is a key part of what Toronto is doing moving forward. It is unsurprising he was left out of the Gasol trade, as he was at one point becoming the centerpiece in the Raptors offer for Anthony Davis.
While he’s obviously not on Davis’ level, Siakem looks to be a power forward any team could build around and his value to Toronto is immense both on the court and in potential trade markets.
The biggest difference maker, though, of course, has been Kawhi Leonard. Though many at the time felt the move of trading DeMar DeRozan for Leonard was nearly “lateral,” it has been anything but. Leonard brings a true lockdown defensive presence in addition to his scoring and is arguably the best “two-way” player in the Association. Leonard is averaging 27.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.4 blocks/steals per game this season. In the Raptors most recent win over the Philadelphia 76ers, he came up with three steals, three assists, seven rebounds, and 24 points despite shooting just 3 of 11 from the field.
Leonard got to the line to knock down 16 of 17, showing that he can be a major force offensively even while his field goals are not falling. He is a transcendental talent, and between Leonard, Siakem, and Gasol, the Raptors now have one of the best starting frontcourts in the league. Serge Ibaka will likely come in to spell both Siakem and Gasol off the bench, and he is now one of the best frontcourt reserves in the league with that likely “demotion.”
NOP
New Orleans has played well despite the turmoil surrounding Anthony Davis’ trade demands, and several less heralded players are relishing the void of effort and offense that Davis has left as his apathy in New Orleans has peaked.
Julius Randle certainly has craved this larger role: He attempted 23 field goals (making 10) en route to 30 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in the 115-112 win over Utah. Jrue Holiday has been incredible on both ends of the court, and he added another 30 points, four assists, and two rebounds, though he finished -4 for his 32 minutes of court time. Davis was a ghost: He started and played 22 uninspired minutes before bowing out with 15 points and 11 rebounds in perhaps the most apathetic double-double of his entire career.
One benefit to this has been that New Orleans is finding more time for Cheick Diallo. The second-year big man has responded too. Diallo has had a double-double in two of the past three games. including a 15 point, 11 rebounds and two steal effort in the Pelicans’ 130-116 win over the Phoenix Suns. Diallo does not have a wide offensive repertoire, but he is superb at finishing around the rim as attested to by his 64.4 percent field goal percentage. Moving forward, he is the de facto candidate to take the starting 4/5 spot next season when Davis is moved elsewhere this summer.
