Pascal Siakam draws Nick Anderson comparisons after missing free throws

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.