Lineup change produces big results
Powell brings athleticism as a starter while Valanciunas matches up with Monroe
MILWAUKEE— It was of huge importance that Norm Powell handle a change well for the Toronto Raptors, because he was thrust into the starting lineup for the biggest game of the season.
But it was of equal importance that he guy he replaced didn’t sulk or pout or cower, and Jonas Valanciunas responded to what will be perceived as a demotion as well as Powell handled his promotion.
Valanciunas, used exclusively as a matchup with Bucks backup Greg Monroe in the vital Game 4 of the Toronto-Milwaukee series Saturday, responded with 12 points and five rebounds in Toronto’s series-tying 87-76 win.
“It’s really professional of him, knowing that it’s the playoffs, anything can happen,” Powell said of Valanciunas. “Series switch, change. Changes are going to be made and to give yourself up like that for a second-year player and not complain about it and go in there and do work? That’s big time.”
The move was seen necessary by coach Dwane Casey to juice both Toronto’s defence and offence. Powell’s athleticism helped on the perimeter and was in no small part responsible for the Bucks having a series-high 21 turnovers that led directly to 15 Raptors points.
Offensively, Powell was able to ease the ball-handling responsibilities on Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, and his screen-setting skills meant the Raptors didn’t have to involve the Milwaukee big men and their disruptive trapping and length too much.
“We needed more drives, more kick-outs to have their defence scrambling because they’re so long,” Powell said.
“Their length is really disruptive, they’re blitzing Kyle and DeMar in pick-and-rolls so you need someone to attack, loosen up the defence and re-attack on the kick-outs or hit the shooters for open shots.”
But none of it would have mattered if Valanciunas didn’t go along and succeed in a lessened role.
He didn’t sulk, because he’s not that kind of guy, and he was on the floor when the Raptors pulled away in the fourth quarter.
“It’s part of the game you know,” he said. “Coaches change the plan and you’ve got to follow the plan. It’s nothing personal; it’s for the team.
“I knew I’d go in and guard Monroe when he came in, so I was focussing on taking his left away. He dominates left-handed. I was just focussed on guarding him.”
Coach Dwane Casey wouldn’t commit to making the move permanent or even for the rest of this series.
“I thought Norm gave us what he was supposed to give us on both ends of the floor,” Casey said.
“It’s going to be a chess match. It may be someone different the next game.”