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Raptors' Nogueira out for season opener

Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira will not play in Wednesday's season opener against the Detroit Pistons as he continues to deal with a left ankle sprain.

Nogueira injured the ankle in Toronto's preseason finale.

The 7-foot Brazilian is in line to absorb many of the departed Bismack Biyombo's minutes this season.

"Bebe" averaged 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds on 62.5 percent shooting from the floor in 14.7 minutes per game in the preseason.

In his absence, rookie big man Jakob Poeltl is expected to see an increase in floor time as the only other backup at the five position. The Raptors also announced before the game that rookie Pascal Siakam would get the start at power forward over veteran Patrick Patterson.

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