Some players aren't doing their jobs, and others are stepping up in a big way, so it may be time for Rajakovic to make the change before it's too late.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic and the Toronto Raptors are gearing up to play the franchise’s first home playoff game since 2022 on Thursday night. Facing a 0-2 deficit, they play the Cleveland Cavaliers at 8:00 PM EST at Scotiabank Arena.
Every player for Toronto will need to play their role in contributing to winning basketball. Neither of the first two games was close in the fourth quarter, and for the Raptors to even get to that point, they need to show up on both ends of the floor. Game 1’s demise came from the inability to stop the superstar backcourt duo of 11-time All-Star James Harden and seven-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell.
Cleveland Cavaliers guards Donovan Mitchell (45) and James Harden (1) | © David Dermer-Imagn ImagesGame 2 wasn’t much different in terms of limiting the superstars, but the offense was a major flaw for the Raptors. This can be summed up by a 19-point first quarter, 22 turnovers, and their regular-season leading scorer, Brandon Ingram, finishing with just seven points on 3-for-15 shooting.
Another major flaw for the Raptors in both games was the play of starting center Jakob Poeltl. He totaled just six points, 10 rebounds, and four turnovers in the 30 minutes over the two games. His lack of aggression on both ends of the floor was noticeable enough for Rajakovic to bench him in Game 2, allowing for more opportunities for Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Toronto Raptors forward/center Collin Murray-Boyles (12) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley (4) | © David Dermer-Imagn ImagesWhile the Serbian head coach publicly supported the Austrian big man, saying that he needed to step up and he believed he would, there is a conversation to be had about whether he should remain in the starting lineup for Game 3. In comparison, Murray-Boyles totaled 31 points and 11 rebounds on 13-for-18 shooting in 46 minutes off the bench in the two road games.
Ingram even praised the standout rookie lottery pick about how much more dynamic the team is on both ends of the floor when he is in the game.
“He’s super aggressive,” said Ingram. He has some things on the offensive and defensive end that is really, really effective for our team. He’s always active when he gets in the game, that always helps. Him getting on the offensive glass and defensive glass, him being able to guard 1 through 5, it’s a luxury we have.”
This poses the question of who should be the starter? Murray-Boyles' aggression in paint scoring and rebounding is exactly what the Raptors need to have a chance at maximizing possessions and limiting the Cavaliers’ frontcourt members, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. While Poeltl has been good for the past few seasons at these skills in particular, he was only significantly productive in scarce games this season, potentially due to the lingering lower back injury that kept him out for 24 straight games.
Whatever the case may be, the Raptors need all the help they can get to avoid going down 0-3 in the first-round series. There is no time to waste to see whether or not Poeltl can fulfill the role he’s been asked, especially when Murray-Boyles has proven he can do so in both games already.