TORONTO -- Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas was active and available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night but did not play in the 105-99 win.
Raptors coach Dwane Casey said postgame that he almost inserted Valanciunas late in the second quarter but decided against it given the intensity of the game. Casey added that he hopes a couple of extra days of rest will be key for the center prior to Game 5, which is Wednesday in Cleveland.
Valanciunas was listed as doubtful Sunday but went through a shootaround Monday morning and was upgraded to questionable later in the day. The center had been out with a sprained right ankle since he injured it in Game 3 of the second round.
Prior to being hurt, he was averaging 15 points and 12.1 rebounds per game during the playoffs.
Backup Bismack Biyombo started Game 4 and had five points, a game-high 14 rebounds and three blocks in 42 minutes in the series-tying victory. He has filled in admirably in place of Valanciunas, and he posted a franchise postseason record with 26 rebounds in Game 3.
