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Raptors Poeltl and Siakam face tall order in second season

Sophomore big men Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam worked together in the off-season knowing NBA expectations will be higher this coming season.

Raptor Pascal Siakam — working around San Lorenzo's Jerome Meyinsse in exhibition action last fall — got his feet wet in 55 NBA games last season.

VICTORIA—The last thing the Raptors want Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam to be is, unfortunately, exactly what they are.

A couple of young and inexperienced big men are going to have to play well above their circumstances to provide Toronto with a solid backup front-court behind Jonas Valanciunas and Serge Ibaka, a heavy request to make of the second-year players.