Toronto Raptors: 3 Stars of the Game
By Demar Grant
Second Star of the Game: Jonas Valanciunas
If I told you in the offseason that Jonas Valanciunas would spontaneously combust for career high 32 points and 11 rebounds on opening day, would you believe it? This was always going to be a battle on the boards, but nobody could stop JV on the glass.
Valanciunas was able to use his massive body to jostle opponents out of position and it got to a point where they had to foul him, because he’s too much of a beast. He led the game in free throws, making 12-14 and wreaked havoc on the way there – two quick fouls on Andre Drummond and that’s all she wrote for the Pistons in this game.
The Raptors actually featured Valanaciunas in their offence, a revelation to be sure, and he responded. JV loves to hesitate and pump fake, but on Wednesday night, everything was crisp clean and decisive.
Valanciunas recognized every opportunity he had to attack and seized it, revealing the player Raptors’ fans have clamored for. Two dribbles into post hook, a face up jumpshot, deep seals into shimmy fadeaways and pick and roll finishes with a feathery touch.
And let’s not forget a nasty dunk, where JV simply detonated on Boban Marjanovic‘s head. All of this on a hyper efficient 10 of 15 shooting while the likes of Aron Baynes was guarding him.