Pascal Siakam drew unwanted comparisons to Nick Anderson after missing some critical free throws at the end of regulation in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between his Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.
Siakam went to the line with his Raptors leading 94-92 with 7.4 seconds left and missed both attempts to keep it a 2-point game. Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton, who had missed a 3-pointer on the Bucks’ previous possession, earned redemption by putting back a miss to tie the game.
Not only did Siakam miss both of his free throws with the game on the line, but he also went 1-for-2 on a previous trip with 1:41 left in the game and missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. He was 3-for-7 from the line in the game during regulation.
So why the Nick Anderson comparisons? At the end of Game 1 of the 1995 NBA Finals, Anderson missed four straight free throws that could have iced the game for his Orlando Magic, a young squad that featured Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway. The Houston Rockets ended up winning the game in overtime and swept in the series.
Only 25, Siakam is an up-and-coming player. He will work hard to ensure that moment doesn’t define his career.
