The Toronto Raptors ended a nasty three-game losing streak on Sunday and will now look to regain a spot in the NBA playoff portrait.
The task shouldn’t be too complicated, as ahead of Monday night’s NBA fixtures, the Raptors were 10th in the Eastern Conference, just one game away from seventh.
Head coach Nick Nurse is well aware of this and he made sure to get the message across to his players.
“We came prepared,” said the pilot. You could see it from the start with the defensive positioning, very good offensive execution and just pretty solid play throughout the game. There really wasn’t any drop in effort, energy, or anything like that; just a solid work performance. ”
Siakam’s body is fine
Among the players who seem to have understood the message, there is Pascal Siakam. The 26-year-old Cameroonian has just played his two best games of the season, collecting at least 30 points each time.
Siakam attributes this recovery to better physical condition, among other things, after missing two games on January 24 and 25 due to injuries.
“In the last few weeks, I didn’t feel well, small injuries here and there, he explained, according to the daily” Toronto Sun “. I continued to work with [les préparateurs physiques] every day, taking care of my body and doing those things that will help my body keep feeling good. ”
“That’s what I focused on last week. I think it makes me feel good that my body feels good. For me, this is the main thing. If I feel comfortable, I have the ability to go play and bring energy. ”
Siakam also seems to have changed the way he plays, as he showed up more often in the near area of the basket. He has only attempted three three-pointers in his last two outings, compared to 67 in his first 15 games.
“I just have to keep playing,” he said. If I try to shoot, I will try to shoot. If I attack the basket, I do. I really didn’t think about any of that. I just think my body feels good and I take the game as it comes. I will continue to improve. ”
The Raptors return to action when they face the Orlando Magic for the second straight time on Tuesday.
