Heading into Thursday’s Game 3 in Toronto, the Raptors face multiple questions after dropping the first two contests of their opening-round series against the Cavaliers.
Ingram vows to stay aggressive despite cold start
All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, limited to nine field-goal attempts in Saturday’s Game 1, looked for his shot early on Monday but struggled again. He missed all six first-half attempts and closed Game 2 with seven points on 3-of-15 shooting. “I liked the looks that I had,” Ingram said postgame. “I’ll continue to be aggressive … I won’t miss all my shots.”
Teammates echoed that message. Guard RJ Barrett said he told Ingram to “stay in it” because the club needs its leading scorer, who is averaging 12.0 points on 33.3 percent in the series, to regain form.
Poeltl challenged to impact Game 3
Veteran center Jakob Poeltl logged only nine minutes in Game 2 and ceded second-half starting duties to rookie Collin Murray-Boyles. Head coach Darko Rajaković declined Wednesday to reveal whether he will alter the starting lineup, but emphasized that Poeltl must “be part of the solution,” dominate the glass and play aggressively in Game 3.
Quickley progressing from hamstring injury
Starting point guard Immanuel Quickley, sidelined for the first two games with a hamstring strain, completed individual on-court work after Wednesday’s practice. Rajaković said the guard is “getting better every day.” Toronto’s official injury report had not yet been released.
Rogers plans full control of MLSE, seeks new investors
Rogers Communications, which owns 75 percent of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment—the parent company of the Raptors—intends to purchase the remaining 25 percent later this year. Chief executive Tony Staffieri told investors the company will subsequently look for minority partners across its sports holdings, which include the NBA’s Raptors, the NHL’s Maple Leafs, MLB’s Blue Jays and MLS’s Toronto FC. Staffieri estimated the combined value of those sports assets, along with related media properties such as Sportsnet, at more than US$18 billion.
The Raptors and Cavaliers resume their best-of-seven series Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena.
Source: Hoops Rumors
