Bismack Biyombo making Raptors forget Valanciunas
TORONTO – Although Jonas Valanciunas was dressed and active for the Toronto Raptors for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, he didn't see any action.
Instead, it Bismack Biyombo played in the post and had five points and added 14 rebounds and three blocks. The breakout continues for Biyombo, who had seven points and 26 rebounds in Game 3.
Raptors head coach Dwane Casey says he was ready to insert Valanciunas if opportunity came up. However, the combination of Biyombo's continually excellent play paired with not finding a proper time in the game for Valanciunas to get on the court meant a eighth consecutive game as a spectator.
"Right before halftime, right before [Biyombo] got the third foul, that's when I thought about it," Casey said. "But it was such a short time, and it was a defensive possession, and he's been sitting there the whole first half. … I thought just the game was so intense, for him to go in there not loose, coming back from a turned ankle, it would have been time for him to get in the flow of the game in crucial situations."
After giving 106 points in the paint to the Cavaliers in two blowout losses to start the series, the Raptors looked as if they would stand no chance without Valanciunas' presence as a rebounder and shot blocker. Biyombo has filled in well, giving the Raptors a necessary boost to win both of games and tie the series.
Biyombo is likely to keep a significant role on the team for as long as their playoff run continues. Casey says Valanciunas' health continues to improve, and with Game 5 not scheduled until Wednesday at Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena, the Raptors coach says there's a strong chance Valanciunas finally he sees playing time in the next game.
"Tomorrow he'll get a good workout," Casey says. "Wednesday morning he'll get a good workout and hopefully get that ankle good and strong and give him another couple of days to go.
"Hopefully we can ramp him back up and get him going for Wednesday."