Raptors' Siakam back in starting lineup

Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (THE CANADIAN PRESS)

OAKLAND — Things are getting rather thin at the centre position for the Raptors these days.

With Jonas Valanciunas already out with a sprained ankle that will keep him out at least until the end of the week and now Lucas Nogueira out with an ankle issue of his own, Toronto coach Dwane Casey has been forced to go somewhat smaller with Serge Ibaka moving to centre and Pascal Siakam, who started 38 games a year ago, returning to that starting power forward role for the time being.

Casey could have gone with Jakob Poeltl, who is coming off probably his best game as a pro, but that would mean breaking up a second unit which has been perhaps the most consistent aspect of the roster to date.

Poeltl and members of that second unit are still growing and to break that up now would be counter-productive when he has a ready-made option with Siakam.

Siakam has played sparingly to date with just under five minutes in the opener and eight in the second game. He didn’t get off the bench at all in the game in San Antonio.

With the Warriors a team that pushes the pace and one that demands its opponent get back on defence in a better than timely manner, Siakam who is an energizer bunny, is a particularly nice fit.