“We need these matches. » Jonas Valanciunas is quite right. And we can add that, to win these important meetings and aim for the “play-in”, the Pelicans need a good Valanciunas. The proof, against the Rockets, the pivot was dominant.
First with 22 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks in a narrow loss, then with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks in victory Sunday night. The Lithuanian was invaluable in this authoritative success for the Pelicans.
“Everything is easier when he is involved offensively”, explains Brandon Ingram. “We also need him in defense. He was given balls and as soon as he got the ball he was aggressive and made the right choice. »
With his five points in the last quarter, his presence near the circle and the fouls he caused (Alperen Sengun committed six), Jonas Valanciunas clearly made a difference for his teammates.
We wanted to lean on him, especially when Sengun came out. We did the same action with him in the racket, ” analyzes the winger. “Everyone touched the ball, played for others. It was nice “adds the pivot.
The Rockets have never managed to really slow him down since the former Toronto shot at 57% success in two games. Alperen Sengun suffered, as did Jabari Smith Jr. The young Texans took a lesson, especially physically, against the opposing veteran.
“Jabari, when he has gained muscle, will become very strong, because he can resist contact and take his place in the low position”, ad Stephen Silas for the Houston Chronicle. “Same for Alperen, who can gain power. They will get stronger over time. This will be an important key. I remember Stephen Curry when he was a rookie. His body has changed over the years and so has his game. He could then do incredible things. I expect the same from these two. »
| Jonas Valanciunas | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2012-13 | TOR | 62 | 24 | 55.6 | 0.0 | 78.9 | 2.0 | 4.1 | 6.0 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 8.9 |
| 2013-14 | TOR | 81 | 28 | 53.1 | 0.0 | 76.2 | 2.8 | 6.0 | 8.8 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 11.3 |
| 2014-15 | TOR | 80 | 26 | 57.2 | 0.0 | 78.6 | 2.7 | 6.0 | 8.7 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 12.0 |
| 2015-16 | TOR | 60 | 26 | 56.5 | 0.0 | 76.1 | 3.1 | 6.1 | 9.1 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 12.8 |
| 2016-17 | TOR | 80 | 26 | 55.7 | 50.0 | 81.1 | 2.8 | 6.7 | 9.5 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 12.0 |
| 2017-18 | TOR | 77 | 22 | 56.8 | 40.5 | 80.6 | 2.4 | 6.2 | 8.6 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 12.7 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 49 | 22 | 55.9 | 29.2 | 79.5 | 2.2 | 6.4 | 8.6 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 15.6 |
| 2018-19 * | TOR | 30 | 19 | 57.5 | 30.0 | 81.9 | 1.8 | 5.4 | 7.2 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 12.8 |
| 2018-19 * | SAME | 19 | 28 | 54.5 | 27.8 | 76.9 | 2.7 | 8.0 | 10.7 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 20.0 |
| 2019-20 | SAME | 70 | 26 | 58.5 | 35.2 | 74.0 | 3.0 | 8.2 | 11.3 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 14.9 |
| 2020-21 | SAME | 62 | 28 | 59.2 | 36.8 | 77.3 | 4.1 | 8.4 | 12.5 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 17.1 |
| 2021-22 | NOP | 74 | 30 | 54.4 | 36.1 | 82.0 | 3.1 | 8.3 | 11.4 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 17.8 |
| 2022-23 | NOP | 67 | 25 | 55.0 | 33.7 | 82.3 | 2.8 | 6.9 | 9.7 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 14.1 |
| Total | 762 | 26 | 56.2 | 35.4 | 78.8 | 2.8 | 6.7 | 9.5 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 13.5 | |
