Raptors lean on Jakob Poeltl as Darko Rajakovic signals bigger role against the Cavs

If the Toronto Raptors have one clear concern heading into a first-round matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, it is dealing with the size of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. That puts the spotlight squarely on Jakob Poeltl.

After missing significant time this season with a lower back strain, Poeltl has only had the luxury of appearing in 46 games. In those games, he averaged 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting an efficient 70 percent from the field. Now, he will be expected to take on a major role against Cleveland’s frontcourt.

“I think he’s in a good spot,” head coach Darko Rajakovic said at practice today. “He’s going to carry a significant workload in this series going up against their bigs.”

Rajakovic’s quote reflects just how important Poeltl will be in this matchup, especially when it comes to cleaning the glass, a depeartment where Toronto has struggled all season. The Raps ranked 26th in rebounding at 41.7 per game, while Cleveland finished 11th.

Outside of Poeltl, Toronto lacks a true rebounding big on their squad. Sandro Mamukelashvili has seen minutes and has been a big bright spot this season, but his strength lies more in floor spacing than physicality. That means rebounding will have to be a collective effort.

Scottie Barnes will be key in that regard. If he can hold his own against Mobley, it allows Poeltl to focus more directly on Allen. Luckily for Toronto, Barnes has shown he is already capable of that. Through three matchups this season, he has been one of Mobley’s primary defensive assignments and has even managed to out-rebound him in those minutes.

As for Poeltl’s matchup with Allen, the two have only faced each other once this season due to injuries on both sides, but there is plenty of familiarity from previous years. In their lone meeting earlier in the year, Poeltl had the upper hand, finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals on 7-of-10 shooting. Allen, meanwhile, was limited to just six points and six rebounds.

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