Toronto Raptors: 6 Revelations from Game 1 loss to Cavaliers

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TORONTO, ON – MAY 01: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball as Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Toronto Raptors defends in the second half of Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 1, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

2. Jonas Valunciunas came ready to play

This was a performance to behold from the Lithuanian big man, as he made his presence felt at both ends of the court. Sure he would have liked a redo on the final shot, but he was the most impactful player for most of the night.

Finishing the game with 21 points and 21 rebounds should give Dwane Casey a reminder of how valuable Jonas Valanciunas can be. Neither Kevin Love or Tristan Thompson seemed to have an answer for him and he made sure they knew it.

Back in January, it was Valanciunas who led the team to a monumental victory over Cleveland with 18 rebounds and 15 points in only 19 minutes and was 1-for-2 from beyond the arc.

This is what the Raptors will need from the 25-year-old, if they expect things to go differently this time around in the playoffs.

Of course, Cleveland will try to counter that by going with a smaller lineup, but at least that didn’t have much of an impact in Game 1.

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