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Raptors want force to be part of J.V.’s nature

Toronto needs to do a better job of protecting the paint as the first-round series moves to Washington.

Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas, battling with Washington’s Ian Mahinmi, has been a force offensively in the first two games of their first-round series but hasn’t played late in games because of his defence.

Jonas Valanciunas was put through one last drill as Raptors practice wrapped up Thursday.

This one called for aggression. Valanciunas, the team’s starting centre, was asked to set a mock screen at the top of the key, roll toward the basket to receive a pass and, with a low-ranking member of the coaching staff mimicking the smaller defender Valanciunas often draws in such game situations, make a ferocious power move to score.