Patterson will come off the bench for Wednesday's season opener against the Celtics.

EDGE Analysis

Patterson was a candidate to start at power forward while Jared Sullinger is sidelined, but the Raptors have opted to go with rookie Pascal Siakam. They likely want to keep Patterson comfortable in his bench role. It is unclear if this will continue to be the lineup going forward until Sullinger is back or not. It will likely depend on how things go Wednesday.

Patterson is the leading candidate to start in place of Jared Sullinger (foot), who is expected to miss the first 2-to-3 months of the season, Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Dwane Casey has been vocal about his preference to use Patterson in a more versatile role off the bench, but in the absence of Sullinger that's not a luxury he'll necessarily have. Casey stopped short of committing to Patterson as the starter, though, noting that Pascal Siakam is also in the conversation and stating that the two players could ultimately split time as the starter. Regardless, Patterson should see an uptick in minutes through at least the first two months of the season, as the Raptors are relatively thin in the frontcourt.

Patterson contributed three points (1-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt), two assists and one rebound across 20 minutes in Wednesday's 103-92 preseason win over the Pistons.

EDGE Analysis

Even with Jared Sullinger (foot) missing all but the first game of the Raptors' preseason schedule, Patterson hasn't benefited from a full-time deployment on the top unit, as Pascal Siakam received the nod at power forward for Wednesday's contest. It's likely coach Dwane Casey was just utilizing Siakam as a placeholder, as the team is optimistic that Sullinger will be ready for the start of the regular season and immediately slide into the starting role, thereby allowing Patterson to get acclimated to a role as the Raptors' top big man off the bench. Since Sullinger and Patterson offer differentiated skill sets, it's expected that the playing time for both will vary wildly based on matchup, so neither is in line to solely dominate the minutes at the position.

Patterson managed 10 points (3-3 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, an assist and four steals over 25 minutes in Wednesday's 104-98 preseason loss to the Clippers.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran forward, getting a second start in place of Jared Sullinger (foot), turned in a performance that perfectly encapsulates his diverse skill set. Patterson provided solid effort on the boards and defensively, while also flashing some of his trademark proficiency from long range as well. The former starter will yield the top job at the four to Sullinger to start the season, but should serve as a productive first option off the bench for head coach Dwane Casey.

Patterson will start at power forward for Monday's preseason game against the Nuggets.

EDGE Analysis

Jared Sullinger is expected to open the regular season as the team's starting power forward, but he's dealing with a sore left foot and will sit out, so Patterson will get the call Monday. Patterson should see extended run in his absence, while Pascal Siakam is also another player to potentially have an increased role.

Raptors coach Dwane Casey said Monday that while the starting power forward job is "[Jared Sullinger's] to lose," Patterson will still play starters' minutes, Josh Lewenberg of TSN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Raptors received limited production out of the combination of Luis Scola and Patrick Patterson at power forward last season, but Casey is optimistic that the dynamic of Sullinger and Patterson may work a little better. Though Sullinger lacks the shooting touch of Scola, he's a capable rebounder and interior scorer, while Patterson provides more of a floor-spacing element off the bench. Since Sullinger's defensive limitations figure to keep him below 30 minutes most nights, Patterson should be in good position to approach last season's average of 25.6 minutes per game.

The Raptors believe that Patterson is better suited to come off the bench, but he still may end up getting the most minutes at power forward, Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

When the Raptors signed Jared Sullinger, it was their intention that Sullinger would become the starting power forward while Patterson would continue from his role off of the bench. Patterson saw 26 minutes per game in the 2015-16 season, and averaged 6.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. If he ends up getting the bulk of the minutes, it seems his role would only be marginally increased as he's usually the fourth or fifth offensive option on the court due to the Raptors' strong backcourt.

Patterson will come off the bench in Thursday's Game 2 against the Cavaliers.

EDGE Analysis

The last minute lineup change for the Raptors comes as a surprise after Patterson played 27 minutes in Game 1, whereas his replacement in the starting lineup, Louis Scola, played just 14. The Raptors got blown out in Game 1 by a score of 115 to 84, which is likely the reason for the change. It's unclear if Patterson will continue coming off the bench, but he should be expected to see a reduction in minutes as long as he is not in the starting lineup.

Patterson finished with 11 points (2-8 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT), 11 boards, two blocks and one steal across 37 minutes in Sunday's 116-89 Game 7 win over the Heat.

EDGE Analysis

Patterson came up empty from long range and ended up going 1-for-14 from downtown in the final four games of the series, but he made up for his lack of offensive efficiency by attacking the glass. The 11 boards were his most of the postseason, and it seems likely that he'll continue to start over Luis Scola in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers.

Patterson finished with eight points (3-12 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one block across 40 minutes in Wednesday's 99-91 win over the Heat in Game 5 of the series.

EDGE Analysis

Patterson has seen at least 36 minutes while starting the last three games of the series, but because he's usually the fourth or fifth option offensively whenever he's on the floor, he's been unable to parlay the added playing time into any meaningful production. He's averaging an uninspiring 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 three-pointers across 39.0 minutes during that three-game stretch.