The Toronto Raptors are back in a familiar place. After a fantastic regular season that saw them lock up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors find themselves again in the same exact place they were in a year ago: down 0-2 in the second round of the playoffs against the same foes in the form of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors are supposed to be playing better, but a number of factors have contributed why they are dealing with the same playoff predicament. Among them is the subpar play of Raptors big man Serge Ibaka.
In Game 2’s blowout 128-110 loss to the Cavs, head coach Dwane Casey appeared to have had enough of Ibaka’s ineffectiveness. Casey benched Ibaka, who played in only 12 minutes, finishing the game with just two points on 0-for-5 shooting and a plus-minus of -10.
Following the game, Ibaka spoke to the media about how frustrated he is with his performance thus far in the series, per Jason Lewenberg of TSN.
Serge Ibaka on benching: "I was just so disappointed in myself in that moment. It's one of those moments where you start thinking I just wish I can be out there playing my best game I can, like I've always done, to help my team. It just sucks, man. It sucks."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 4, 2018
Serge Ibaka had a good start to this postseason when he double-doubled with 23 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1 of the first round against the Washington Wizards. He would follow that up with a 10-point performance before nearly disappearing. Since then, Ibaka has not scored in double digits in a game. He is averaging just 8.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in 26.6 minutes in these playoffs, fewer points than Delon Wright and CJ Miles.
The Raptors’ backs are against the wall, and they should be treating Game 3 in Cleveland this Saturday as a must-win game. It would greatly help Toronto if Ibaka finally shows up in that contest.
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