As a centre, Jakob Poeltl isn’t usually expected to pick up the slack when a wing is hurt. But with Canadian swingman RJ Barrett still out for the Toronto Raptors, Poeltl is finding his role expanding.

Poeltl spoke about how he's had to make adjustments within the Raptors' offence after practice at OVO Athletic Centre on Wednesday afternoon. Barrett has been out with a sprained right knee since Nov. 23.

"Without RJ, we have less pressure on the paint, and we tend to — especially when teams start switching against us — we tend to get a little bit stagnant," said Poeltl, standing to the side of the basketball courts at the practice facility. "It leads to me having to get myself involved in the offence a little bit more, like with flashes to the high post, initiating pick and rolls, just to

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