Serge Ibaka on Being Benched in Game 2 vs. Cavs: 'So Disappointed in Myself'
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals was a forgettable one for the Toronto Raptors, and that was especially true for power forward Serge Ibaka.
Ibaka, who played 12 minutes in the 128-110 loss at Air Canada Centre, finished with two points (0-of-5 shooting) and six rebounds before he was benched by head coach Dwane Casey. The Raptors were also outscored by 10 points with him on the floor.
"I was just so disappointed in myself in that moment," Ibaka said of getting benched, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg. "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."
Ibaka's forgettable Game 2 outing came two days after he sputtered his way to nine points (3-of-8 shooting) and a pair of boards in Toronto's 113-112 overtime loss in Game 1.
"I feel horrible," Ibaka said after Game 2, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. "I just didn’t play good enough. I didn't play hard enough. That’s it.
"I didn't play well. I don’t know how to describe it. I just didn't play good enough to help my team."
Truth be told, Ibaka hasn't been himself all postseason long.
Through eight playoff games, the 28-year-old is averaging 8.0 points and 6.3 rebounds a night while shooting 38.6 percent from the field, including 33.3 percent from three.
Conversely, Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love came alive Thursday night and ripped the Raptors for 31 points and 11 boards as the defending Eastern Conference champions took a commanding 2-0 series lead.
If Ibaka doesn't step up for Game 3 on Saturday night (8:30 p.m. ET on ABC), the Raptors may very well find themselves on the brink of elimination against the Cavaliers for the third straight season.
