Jonas Valanciunas could be the difference-maker for Memphis moving forward
We briefly mentioned Jonas Valanciunas and the game he had earlier, but he fully deserves to be called the MVP of this play-in game for the Grizzlies. He had 23 points, 23 rebounds and 3 critical blocks that came at crucial times in this game.
It seemed like every time the Grizzlies needed a big stop defensively, Valanciunas either altered the Spurs’ shot or he ended the possession by skying for the rebound. The 29-year-old center played 38 total minutes in this game and was visibly gassed on the court, but he gave Memphis everything he had in this game, which is what he needs to do moving forward.
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If the Grizzlies are to have any shot of beating the Warriors in the 8-seed game Friday night, then Valanciunas is going to have to have yet another big game like he had against the Spurs and like he has earlier in the season against the Warriors.
In 3 games against Golden State this year, Valanciunas averaged 19.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and shot 65.6% from the floor. Given that the Warriors are extremely weak on the interior, Jonas Valanciunas is going to have to attack the offensive glass and create second-chance opportunities like he did against the Spurs.
Dillon Brooks is going to be a vital part of the Grizzlies’ success, as is Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr, but at the end of the day, if Jonas Valanciunas does not have a good game, then the Grizzlies’ season will be over. He is the difference-maker for Memphis and if he has another great game, then Memphis will claim the 8-seed in the Western Conference.
