Raptors' Valanciunas 'ready to go' for Game 5
CLEVELAND — Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas says he “feels good” and is “ready to go” for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Valanciunas has missed the last eight games due to a sprained right ankle. He was active and available for Game 4 but did not play.
Asked how close he is to 100 percent, Valanciunas smiled and replied, “Close. No, I’m ready to go. Percentage-wise, the ankle doesn’t tell you that. I’m just ready to go.”
Raptors coach Dwane Casey said Tuesday he would like to get his 7-footer some minutes, but it depends on matchups.
“Hopefully we can get him involved, but it depends on the lineup they have on the court,” Casey said. “I know he’s our starting center, but it’s tough to put him out there if they’re playing Channing Frye big minutes at the 5. We just have to make sure that he has a matchup, and he’s not out there chasing 3-point shooters all over the perimeter.
“But if he does get called, we’ve got to be able to make them pay and have him in the paint, posting up and getting touches down there. And also, too, he’s going to be valuable for us because he is an excellent passer and can make plays at the top of the key.”
Valanciunas was averaging 15 points and 12.1 rebounds before getting hurt in Game 3 of the team’s second-round series with the Miami Heat. Reserve Bismack Biyombo has filled in admirably with Valanciunas out.
