Q&A with Raptors’ Jonas Valanciunas: ‘I’m not going to relax’

8:31 PM ET

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors came into the playoffs sporting an All-Star backcourt.

But in Games 1 and 2 of their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, Jonas Valanciunas — not Kyle Lowry or DeMar DeRozan — has proved to be the team’s most unstoppable force.

While Lowry and DeRozan have combined to shoot 17-for-63 from the field, Valanciunas has amassed 35 points and 34 rebounds.

“He’s been huge — literally. He’s the one that’s causing us problems right now,” Paul George, Indiana’s best player, said of the 7-foot center.

“He’s not a finished product,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. “He’s going to get better. Sky’s the limit for that young man.”

The 23-year-old Lithuanian, however, received his best compliment from veteran frontcourt mate Luis Scola.

“He has no ceiling,” Scola said. “He could be an All-Star; he could be an All-NBA player. He could be whatever he wants to be.”

ESPN.com conducted a brief Q&A with Valanciunas on Wednesday before the team’s flight to Indiana in advance of Thursday’s Game 3 in a series that’s tied 1-1.

Q: What do you think of what Luis said about you?

A: It’s a great feeling when everybody recognizes you, gives you credit and says good things about you, but I’m not going to relax. Our team still has a job to do and we have big things we need to accomplish, so we have to concentrate on the game. You’re never too good, you’re never too bad, you know?

Q: Why have you had so much success early on in this series?

A: Tough question. I’m just playing my game. I’m not trying to do too much. I’m just doing the stuff I’m supposed to do, playing hard, coming with energy every game, and that’s what I have to keep doing. I’m just enjoying what I do.

Q: On the first offensive possession in Game 2, you fought really hard down low and let out a primal roar after you got a foul call. Why?

A: I was just pumped up. I just enjoy …

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