Raptors must adapt with Jakob Poeltl day-to-day

The Toronto Raptors are learning to play basketball like two different teams: one that has Jakob Poeltl, and one that doesn't.

TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors are learning to play basketball like two different teams: one that has Jakob Poeltl, and one that doesn’t.

Poeltl missed a second consecutive game due to lower back soreness as Toronto dropped a 112-96 decision to the Boston Celtics on Saturday. Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said before the game that Poeltl’s back issues are “unpredictable” and that the team’s coaching and training staffs are figuring out how to prevent painful flare-ups.

Sandro Mamukelashvili, Poeltl’s backup at centre, said he’s always ready, regardless of what’s happening ahead of him on Toronto’s depth chart.

“It don’t matter. I come off the bench, I start, I want to come in and make sure I help the team win and that’s my only mindset,” said Mamukelashvili after scoring a season-high 24 points that included 6-of-9 three-point shooting. “Jak is there, I’m going to be ready when my name is called. If I’m starting I’ll be ready when my name is called.

“At the end of the day, if you’re not making shots or it’s not your best game you should always be energetic, always got to be decisive and play hard.”

Although Mamukelashvili thrived offensively, the Raptors still keenly felt Poeltl’s absence against Boston. The Celtics outrebounded Toronto 55-37 and scored 54 points in the paint to the Raptors’ 32.

“I hate getting outrebounded. It definitely hurts especially because I could have had more rebounds myself,” said Mamukelashvili, who pulled down five boards. “I feel I gotta do a good job boxing out. But sometimes we box out and everybody crashes and it’s got to be a team effort.

“At the same time, I can do a better job.”