The first drive included a bit of a spin move and a converted layup followed immediately by a full-court scamper after gathering a defensive rebound, an immediate push in transition that yielded an easy seven-foot shot and another basket.
It took Pascal Siakam about 90 seconds to remind everyone precisely what he brings to the Raptors every night when he’s available.
After missing 10 of his team’s 19 regular-season games with a strained adductor muscle, Siakam returned to Scotiabank Arena on Monday night and much seemed more normal around the Raptors.
He filled up the stats sheet as he’s capable of doing — with 18 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in 30 minutes of Toronto’s 100-88 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers — and ignited a thorough performance from a team that just looked more in sync with him at the helm.