Jonas Valanciunas continues to dominate

Jonas Valanciunas was spectacular in the game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night and was the MVP of the game for the Grizzlies. He may have been gassed after playing 39 minutes in this game, but Valanciunas put up 23 points, 23 rebounds and added 3 blocks to his name. 

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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 fight he showed in this game and the will to stay out on the court even though he was fatigued was quite remarkable and is the big reason why Jonas Valanciunas is the x-factor for the Grizzlies in this game. 

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.