In the absence of big games from their best players, the Toronto Raptors got a huge game from their biggest player in the most important win of the season.
Jonas Valanciunas, taking advantage of a definite size and strength edge, set the tone at the Air Canada Centre on Monday night as the Raptors climbed back into their NBA Eastern Conference playoff round with a 98-85 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
With DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry still unable to shake an aggressive and physical defence too often, Valanciunas got the Raptors off to a torrid start and backups Patrick Patterson and Cory Joseph were wonderful as Toronto tied the best-of-seven series 1-1.