Headline News By Brett Martel, The Associated Press 162 Views

Jonas Valanciunas Shines in Raptors' win Over Pelicans

Toronto centre Jonas Valanciunas clearly wasn't intimidated by a Pelicans frontcourt featuring All-Stars DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis.

The Lithuanian 7-footer turned in one of his best performances this season, scoring 25 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, and the Raptors emerged with a 94-87 road victory Wednesday night over a New Orleans squad that played without Davis during the second half.

"I was ready. I'm ready every night," Valanciunas said. "I'm waiting for that chance. Give me a chance and I'm going to fight hard."

The Pelicans announced that Davis hurt his left wrist, an injury that appeared to occur when he caught his wrist on the front rim and then crashed to the court during the Pelicans' final possession of the first half.

Davis was fouled by Norman Powell as he leaped in an effort to corral an alley-oop pass. Davis, who shoots right-handed, made two free throws after the foul, but never emerged from the locker room after halftime in a game that was close most of the way.

Davis day-to-day

The Pelicans said X-rays did not reveal any broken bones, but that Davis, who did not speak to reporters after the game, had a contusion and would be re-evaluated daily.

"It will be day-to-day," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. "But the fact that the X-rays came back negative is probably a good thing."

DeMarcus Cousins had 25 points and 10 rebounds, but the Pelicans fell to 1-6 with Cousins in the lineup.

Davis' absence in the second half "definitely hurt us tonight," Cousins said. "That being said, we have to find a way to pick up the pieces. It's unfortunate."

Davis scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds in 17 minutes before he left.

Dominant performance 

Valanciunas, by contrast, closed out his nearly 34-minute night by hitting a 17-foot jumper, a cutting layup and a dunk inside the final four minutes as the Raptors turned a tenuous two-point lead into a comfortable 10-point spread with 43 seconds to go. He finished with his highest-scoring total since his 32 points against Detroit on opening night Oct. 26.

His defence against New Orleans' pick-and-roll plays was strong as well, Raptors coach Dwane Casey said.

"This was one of Jonas' better defensive games against the pick-and-roll," Casey said. "That's why he stayed in" for about eight minutes more than his average for the season.

DeMar DeRozan scored 14 points for Toronto, including a 16-foot, step-back jumper that made it 92-84 with 1:49 left. Serge Ibaka added 12 points for the Raptors, who've won six of their last eight, and Cory Joseph scored 11.

Cousins was the only Pelicans starter to score in double figures. Reserve E'Twaun Moore had 13 points and recently acquired reserve guard Jordan Crawford scored 10.

Read More..



Comments

There are 0 comments on this post

Leave A Comment