Pascal Siakam: Raptors Star Fires Warning to East Teams Ahead of the Playoffs

• Toronto Raptops' Pascal Siakam is optimistic as the 2022/23 NBA playoffs edge closer
• The star feels his team will be a tough matchup for any team in the Eastern Conference
• The Raptors won the NBA title in 2019 but are yet to make another deep playoff run

Toronto Raptors All-Star forward, Pascal Siakam has sent a warning to Eastern Conference teams ahead of the 2022/23 playoffs.

The 2019 NBA champions recently clinched a spot in the play-in tournament after beating the Charlotte Hornets.

The Raptors have endured a difficult season and a few months ago, they were on the brink of collapse. However, they've rallied and have a chance of making the playoffs.

They are currently ninth in the East with a 39-39 record and have four games remaining in the season. Toronto plays the Hornets, and the Boston Celtics (twice) before wrapping up their 82-game season with a home clash against Milwaukee, per the Athletic.

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Since acquiring Jakob Poeltl before the February 9 trade deadline, they've gone 13-8 and are outscoring opponents by 8.84 points per 100 possessions.

Siakam's warning to East teams

Siakam was part of the team that won the title in 2019 but a lot has changed since then. Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Danny Green, Marc Gasol, and Norman Powell have all left the team.

The Raptors star feels if his team can get into the playoffs, they will be a tough matchup for any others.

“I always say that once we get into the playoffs, we can kind of make some noise and I don’t think it would be fun for a lot of teams to play us,” Siakam said via Clutchpoints.

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Toronto finished fifth last season but lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in six games.

Siakam's highest-scoring games

Sports Brief earlier analyzed Raptors star, Siakam's highest-scoring games as he turned 29 years old.

The Cameroonian delivered a career-high 52 points December 21, 2022, in a won win over the Knicks.

Siakam has five 40-point games in his career and will be looking to add to that as he enters his prime.