The Eastern Conference Finals have featured a reunion of sorts between two former teammates.
From being allies, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam find themselves facing each other now as enemies in the ongoing seven-game showdown between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers.
The Eastern Conference Finals marks the second battle for Anunoby and Siakam as they already competed in the semifinals in 2024, with the Pacers winning the series 4-3.
Anunoby outlines ongoing plans of defending Siakam
Anunoby is embracing the responsibility of guarding Siakam in the East Finals.
Siakam is spearheading the Pacers, averaging 24.3 points while shooting 54.7 percent in this series. He served as the hero in Indiana’s Game 2 win to take a huge 2-0 lead, exploding for a playoff career-best 39 points.
With the Knicks aiming to tie the series before heading back to New York, Anunoby is determined to contain his former Raptors teammate.
“Pascal is a great player,” Anunoby said. “So, just after that Game 2, just trying to make it as difficult as possible. Maybe not help as much in certain situations and not give him easy looks or their shots.
“Just try to make it as difficult as possible and force him into uncomfortable possessions.”
OG Anunoby reflects on relationship with Siakam
Witnessing Anunoby and Siakam battle it out for the right to enter the NBA Finals will offer a bittersweet feeling to the Toronto Raptors and their fanbase.
The two were core members of the Raptors for years and managed to help the franchise clinch a first NBA title in 2019.
Their relationship as teammates is unbreakable. And when Toronto decided to trade Anunoby last season to New York, Siakam didn’t hide his true feelings about it.
But this time around, the two are setting their emotions and sentimentality aside as they aim to help their respective teams to win it all. For this, Anunoby sees Siakam as nothing more than an opponent.
“Pascal is one of my great friends in the league,” Anunoby said about his relationship with Siakam following the Knicks’ team practice ahead of Game 4. “We were very close as teammates, and he’s a great player.
“But right now, we’re competing.”
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