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TORONTO -- Jonas Valanciunas was five years old when Kevin Garnett earned his first of 15 NBA all-star selections. He was 11 when Garnett was named the league MVP. Valanciunas -- now 21 -- went toe to toe with the 37-year-old Garnett in Torontos loss to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1 of their playoff series last Saturday. And if there was any sense of awe in the name on the back of the Brooklyn jersey he was guarding, the young Valanciunas didnt show it, laying down a monster game in his post-season debut. "He was not intimidated, he wasnt fazed by the physicality or guarding a legend like KG. Youre talking about a guy who is going to be in the Hall of Fame," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey. "I told our guys, Youve got to respect them because those guys have accomplished a lot in this league. But you cant fear them. KG would think less of him, knowing him, if it was anything less. Respect him, but you cant fear him. (Valanciunas) did that." The Raptors host Game 2 of the series on Tuesday, then it shifts to Brooklyn for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday. Valanciunas had 17 points and 18 rebounds in the opener of the seven-game series, while holding Garnett to five points. While many of the Raptors appeared overwhelmed by the enormity of their first playoff appearance in six seasons -- for some players, it was their first playoff appearance, period -- Valanciunas looked especially fired up from the opening tipoff. When asked Monday about guarding Garnett, Valanciunas merely shrugged. "Hes the same Garnett in regular season, so Im playing him the same way. Just maybe adding 10 per cent more effort," Valanciunas said, laughing. On Garnetts infamous trash talking: "I dont understand English. So Im OK." More laughter. On whether Garnett was a player he looked up to growing up in Utena, Lithuania: "His last name is really famous, so I heard about him when I was a kid." Respect, but no fear. What helped Valanciunas keep the nerves at bay, Casey believes, is thats hes accustomed to playing in front of noisy, passionate crowds. "Thats one thing with the Euroleague, hes played in some big games over there for his country," Casey said. "He was not fazed by the crowd, by the moment, by it being the playoffs. I thought he did a good job of fighting the physicality, getting inside, rebounding, using his length against KG and (Nets centre Mason) Plumlee." As the Raptors season continues, so does Valanciunass development. His rebounds Saturday were a Raptors post-season record. His double-double was only the second by a Raptor in their playoff debut (Tracy McGrady recorded the other in 2000). He scored a career-high 26 points earlier this month, less than three days after he was charged with drunk driving. "Its a positive. Him growing over the last month or so has really been a positive for our season," Casey said. "Hes our future. Hes our starting centre for a while to come so its great to see. Plus, hes a great kid. He works at it." Raptors guard Greivis Vasquez, meanwhile, grew up watching the Nets other NBA legend Paul Pierce. He even attended Pierces basketball camp when he was a kid. The 36-year-old Pierce was huge down the stretch in Game 1, scoring nine of his 15 points in the final three minutes. Asked if there was one thing he learned from Pierces camp, Vasquez replied, with a wide grin: "I did. How to be clutch." Vasquez played like he was similarly unfazed by the big names on the opposing team. Vasquez, one of four Raptors acquired in December in the trade that sent Rudy Gay to Sacramento, scored 18 points off the bench and doled out eight assists. "You know what, to me, its fun," Vasquez said. "Im an underdog guy, so Ive got to prove myself every day. I wake up with 220,000 pounds on my shoulder, so Ive got to be able to find a way to walk and get to my job. "Its fun when you face Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, KG. I mean, I grew up watching those guys, especially Paul Pierce. Now I got a chance to beat em? To me, I cant ask for anything better than that. Its fun. Its a basketball game, man, at the end of the day weve all got two hands. We all can shoot. Weve got one of the best point guards, too (in Kyle Lowry). Ill take our chances, man." For the players who did look affected by the nerves in Game 1 -- all-star DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross, to name two -- Casey and his players believe Game 2 will be an entirely different story. "Were disappointed but were anxious to get a second chance at it. I think the second time around well get the first game jitters away, out of us," Casey said. Game 2 could be a repeat of Game 1 when it comes to officiating. The Raptors werent on the favourable end of any calls in the fourth quarter on Saturday. They sounded resigned to the fact after Mondays practice. "Weve accepted that all year long as far as not getting recognition or getting respect or even getting calls we think we should get," said Raptors forward Patrick Patterson. "Thats happened all year long, so for us to think its going to change in the playoffs, were fooling ourselves. We have to go out there and not worry about the referees, not worry about the calls and just play basketball." The Raptors are hoping for a repeat performance by the Air Canada Centre crowd. A sellout crowd of 19,800 took in Game 1, clad in white T-shirts and waving white towels, thanks to a pre-game giveaway. Hundreds more fans watched the game on the big screen in Maple Leaf Square outside the arena. "Unbelievable. Unbelievable," Casey marvelled. "We were in Dallas for the (NBA) championship ... but this arena Saturday was unbelievable. I was proud of our fans. They showed the NBA what were about. The white-out, it was unbelievable. The enthusiasm. They not only cheered when we were up, they cheered when we were behind. It was constant. It was like a soccer crowd. "Our players appreciated it. We appreciate it now weve got to go out and reciprocate with our effort." Saturdays game was also a ratings hit for TSN. Overnight data from BBM Canada indicated an average audience of 539,000 viewers watched Game 1. It was the most-watched Raptors game on English television in Canada since 2002, the network said in a release. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys . Carcillo was a little of both for New York in Game 3. Derek Stepan, Martin St. Louis, Dan Girardi and Carcillo scored goals, leading the Rangers to a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping .com) - Pavel Datsyuk and Gustav Nyquist both scored in the shootout as the Detroit Red Wings denied the Minnesota Wilds comeback bid with a 5-4 win on Tuesday. http://www.authenticnfljerseys.net/. The Rainbow FlickNext up is the Rainbow Flick, or as you probably know it, the trick that everybody at soccer camp thought they knew how to do. Wholesale Jerseys China .com) - Patrik Elias registered the winner in the shootout as New Jersey nipped Toronto 2-1 at Prudential Center on Wednesday. Cheap Authentic Jerseys . Watch the action live on TSN and listen on TSN 1050 Radio beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. The Raptors maintained their spot atop the Atlantic Friday after defeating the Wizards, 96-88, for their second win in a row.To celebrate Sky Sports 25th birthday this week, we relive some laugh-out-loud Soccer Saturday moments with Jeff Stelling and the gang. From Chris Kamara not having a clue whats going on in his game to Paul Merson capturing a classic Premier League moment in the only way he can, Soccer Saturday has produced some classic live TV moments.Hit the video at the top of the page to watch our special montage or read on... I feel good!The James Brown dancing doll became infamous during the 2008/09 season when striker James Brown scored eight goals for Stellings beloved Hartlepool. However, the doll was rarely seen on the show for a couple of years due to Browns lack of goals, but it made a rare appearance in January 2012, and he struck when Matt Le Tissier was covering the game in the studio. What scenes! Geoff celebrates a James Brown goal in true Soccer Saturday style Fire at HQJeff and the lads were forced to evacuate the studio in 2015 after a fire alarm went off at Sky Studios. The live programme was forced off air for nearly 30 minutes while firefighters investigated the problem. Thankfully, no serious incidents were found and the guys returned to the studio unscathed with Jeff addressing the nation in a firemans helmet joking that it was pretty hot in here. Unbelievable JeffThe classic Kammy phrase has become synonymous with the show. He uses it every week to describe incidents, even ones that arent really worthy of the meaning of the word. However, the phrase slipped his mind when reporting from the Vitality Stadium as Bournemouth scored with the last kick of the game to salvage a draw against Everton but Jeff was on hand to remind him.I cant believe what Im seeing Johnny Phillips reports from a rocking Vicarage Road One of the most incredible endings to a game was brought to life by reporter Johnny Phillips. The play-off tie between Watford and Leicester was tied at 2-2 on aggregate going into the 96th minute when Leicester were awarded a contentious penalty. Philips provided live commentary of a spectacular double-save from Manuel Almunia which triggered a remarkable counter attack with Watford breaking up the field and Troy Deeney netting at the other end to seal a place in the play-off final. With the gantry shaking, Phillips somehow managed to deliver his report - but only just.Kammys a real head turner Whats going on Kammy? Some of the funniest Soccer Saturday moments have occurred when ggoals go in during a live report from the ground, meaning reporters are sometimes caught on the hop.dddddddddddd The chief culprit in this department is Chris Kamara. His most famous moment came in 2007 when David Healy seemingly equalised for Fulham against Middlesbrough when Kammy was live. As his monitor wasnt working, Kammy kept turning around to watch the action and had little clue whether the goal was disallowed. Jeff had to step in and clear up the incident for the viewers. Why does it always rain on me The best bits from Jeff Stelling and the Soccer Saturday panel. Sent to report on the League Two match between Dagenham & Redbridge versus Scunthorpe, reporter Bianca Westwood got caught up in a storm that caused the game to be abandoned. Unfortunately for Bianca, her position near pitch-side wasnt sheltered from the elements and she got an absolute soaking and there was little sympathy from the studio.Merson reacts to THAT Aguero winnerMerson was the lucky man in the hot seat for one of the most stunning moments in Premier League history when Sergio Aguero netted a late winner in a 3-2 victory over QPR that saw Manchester City win the title. Mersons accompanying commentary of the memorable goal only added to the incredible drama. He said: Its gone mad. Mancinis on the pitch, running around. Theyre all cuddling each other - theyve got love bites and everything.Oblivious Kammy Red card, Geoff? Has there? Kammy is oblivious to a sending off in his game Perhaps the most iconic moment in the shows 24-year history is Kammys report from Portsmouth and Blackburn in 2007. The camera cuts to Kammy to discuss Anthony Vanden Borres sending-off which had come through on the vidiprinter. What happened next was comedy gold as Kammy had managed to mistake the red card for a substitution. Also See: Meet Paul Clement 25 of Sky Sports WATCH: Becks on Sky On Soccer Saturday ' ' '