Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas Has Been X-Factor vs. Pacers
In the Toronto Raptors’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, Jonas Valanciunas is quickly emerging as a force to be reckoned with.
The Toronto Raptors finished the season with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. However, following their disappointing 100-90 loss in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, the focus shifted to whether or not they were heading toward another postseason meltdown due to the fact they had lost seven consecutive playoff games dating back to 2014.
But with their backs against the wall, the Raptors responded with a 98-87 victory in Game 2 to even the series at one game apiece. The victory was significant considering that only three teams have ever come back to win a best-of-seven series after dropping the first two games at home.
Coming into this matchup, the focus of Toronto’s scoring attack centered on the backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Through the first two games, though, the All-Star guards have not produced at an elite level.
For instance, DeRozan — who was the ninth-best scorer in the league during the season with 23.5 points per contest — has shot 10-for-37 from the floor, which equates to a 27 percent conversion rate. Meanwhile, Lowry — who scored 18 points in Game 2 — has connected on just seven of his 26 attempts, also good enough for a less-than-stellar 27 percent from the field.
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While the top two scorers have struggled to find their groove, the one positive for the Raptors is the recent emergence of Jonas Valanciunas. Although he posted career highs in points (12.8) and rebounds (9.1) during the season, Valanciunas was not viewed as the kind of player that was capable of contributing in big moments.
Through the first two games of this series, however, that trend has changed dramatically.
Despite the fact that he fouled out in the series opener, Valanciunas scored 12 points and posted a franchise-record 19 boards, breaking his own Raptors record for most rebounds in a postseason contest. Valanciunas pulled down 18 rebounds in Game 1 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets in 2014.
With the team in need of a spark to prevent its postseason from slipping away, the Raptors big man set the tone early in Game 2; scoring 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting in the opening period, helping Toronto build an 18-point lead in the first half.
Valanciunas would finish with team highs in both points (23) and rebounds (15), and if not for coming out of the game in the third quarter due to foul trouble, his stat line would have been even more impressive.
To put Valanciunas’ production into proper perspective, the Pacers’ frontcourt trio of Myles Turner, Ian Mahinmi and Lavoy Allen combined for 15 points and 11 rebounds.
For the series, Valanciunas is averaging 17.5 points and 17.0 rebounds per contest and has become a focal point for the Raptors; something that head coach Dwane Casey is very pleased about.
"“I was really happy for Jonas,” Casey said, via The Toronto Sun. “Everybody wanted that kid to be a superstar when he first got here. He wasn’t ready. But again, nobody comes to this league and sets it on fire.”“He’s grown, he’s developed, he’s worked his butt off. I’m really proud of him. It makes me feel good to see him develop like that, play the game. He’s not a finished product. He’s going to get better. Sky’s the limit for that young man.”"
Not only has Valanciunas’ recent emergence raised eyebrows among his coaches and teammates, it has also become a point a emphasis for the opposition as well. Paul George — who is having an excellent series in his own right with 30.5 points per game on 54 percent shooting — admits that the Pacers have to find a way to limit Valanciunas going forward.
"“He’s been huge. Literally, George told NBA.com. “We’re doing a good job on Kyle and DeMar, but the third guy — Valanciunas — he’s what’s causing us the problems right now. We’ve got to figure it out.”"
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Chances are both Lowry and DeRozan will find a way improve upon their inefficient play as the series progresses. And if Valanciunas continues to wreak havoc against the Pacers frontcourt, the Raptors have a legitimate chance to advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2001.