Valanciunas sets Raptors playoff record with 19 rebounds in Game 1 loss

The Toronto Raptors' quest to exorcise their playoff demons got off to a rough start Saturday with a 100-90 home loss to the Indiana Pacers, but don't blame Jonas Valanciunas.

Before fouling out, the Raptors' 23-year-old center was a bruising force. He mauled the Pacers' frontcourt all day, snatching up every contested rebound in sight on his way to a franchise playoff record 19, including 15 in the first half alone.

Time and again, Valanciunas bullied his way to deep post position, outmuscling whichever big Indiana stuck on him, whether it was Myles Turner, Ian Mahinmi, or Lavoy Allen. His 19 boards came in just 21 minutes of action.

Valanciunas was particularly immovable on the offensive block, collecting 11 boards at that end to help mitigate his team's lousy, 38-percent shooting performance, and allow them to hang around for most game.

A big factor, it should be noted, was Valanciunas' own poor finishing. He shot just 4-of-14 and missed several bunnies in the lane, and a handful of his offensive rebounds came off his own misses.

Regardless, the young Lithuanian was easily the best player on the floor for the hosts, not only controlling the glass but playing steady, smart post defense and repeatedly altering Pacers attempts at the rim. Only foul trouble - partially the result of some questionable whistles - kept him from having a larger impact on the game, and potentially swinging the outcome the other way.