Valanciunas tallied 15 points (7-9 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block over 38 minutes in Thursday’s 96-92 Game 2 overtime victory over the Heat.

Valanciunas’ performance over the first three periods Thursday bore no resemblance to his 24-point, 14-rebound explosion in Game 1, but he managed to break through when it mattered most. After taking just three shot attempts that netted four points in the first 36 minutes of Game 2, Valanciunas contibuted 11 points and seven rebounds in the fourth quarter and overtime combined to help insure the crucial victory. The 24-year-old Lithuanian now has three straight double-doubles dating back to Game 7 against the Hornets, and has reached double-digit scoring in six straight contests. He’s gotten the semifinal round off to a rousing start, averaging 19.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.0 blocks over the first pair of games.