Raptors Notes: Brandon Ingram, Jakob Poeltl, Immanuel Quickley

The Raptors got what they wanted from Brandon Ingram in Game 2 against the Cavaliers. Namely, more shots.

They just didn’t get the results.

Ingram attempted 15 shots after taking only nine in Game 1. He finished with seven points and missed all six of his first-half attempts.

“Of course it would happen if you ask for more shots, that you would miss more shots,” Ingram said, via Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. “I liked the looks that I had. I’ll continue to be aggressive… I won’t miss all my shots.”

Toronto is down 2-0 and needs more than intent. It needs production from its top scorer. But the locker room is staying with him. RJ Barrett made that clear during the second half.

“I just told him, ‘Stay in it. Stay in it. We need you,’” Barrett said. “He’s got us here… He’s been an All-Star.”

Poeltl’s Role Shrinks

Jakob Poeltl played nine minutes in Game 2 and did not start the second half.

Instead, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles opened the third quarter and handled a larger share of the frontcourt minutes.

Coach Darko Rajakovic did not commit to a lineup change for Game 3, but he did not hide what he expects.

“He needs to be part of the solution for us,” Rajakovic said of Poeltl, via Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca. “He needs to be more aggressive. He needs to dominate the glass.”

That is a clear message. Toronto needs more from its starting center, especially against a Cleveland team that is controlling the paint.

Quickley Update

Immanuel Quickley has missed the first two games with a hamstring injury, but returned to the court for individual work after Wednesday’s practice. It was his most notable on-court activity since the series began.

Rajakovic said Quickley is “getting better every day,” per Grange.

There is still no official status for Game 3, but his availability would give Toronto another ball-handler and scoring option.

Right now, the Raptors are searching for answers. They may need more than one.