Pascal Siakam scored a quickfire 23 points as the Toronto Raptors maintained their grip on the Eastern Conference standings with a 128-112 demolition of the New York Knicks on Saturday.
Cameroonian international Siakam drained six field goals including a trio of three-pointers as Toronto romped to a comfortable victory at the Scotiabank Arena.
The win sees the Raptors improve to 12 and 1 at the top of the Eastern Conference, maintaining their lead over Milwaukee who were 9-2 ahead of their clash with the Los Angeles Clippers later Saturday.
Toronto, who topped last year’s Eastern Conference only to be swept in the playoff semi-finals by Cleveland, are determined to improve on their recent record of postseason failures this year.
On Saturday, the Raptors utilised the depth of their attacking options to overwhelm the Knicks, who fell to 4-9 following the loss.
No fewer than seven Toronto players made double figures, with Siakam receiving support from Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka who both had 12 points apiece.
Point guard Kyle Lowry chipped in with 10 points while British power forward OGÂ Anunoby weighed in with 16 from the bench.
Jonas Valanciunas also provided scoring power from the bench with 19 points as well as 10 rebounds. Delon Wright had 12 points.
The Knicks were kept in touch with 27 points from Tim Hardaway Jr. and 15 off the bench from Enes Kanter, but the visitors were scrambling to keep pace with the Raptors, who had pulled clear to lead 100-82 heading into the fourth quarter. –Â Agence France-Presse
