Zalgiris Kaunas (9-2) defeated Rytas Vilnius (8-3) at Zalgirio Arena. Andrea Trinchieri’s team won 78-67 (19-21, 20-11, 18-16, 21-19) in front of their home crowd and moved up to the first place in the Betsafe-LKL regular season standings.

Edgaras Ulanovas went hard under the basket early in the game, Lonnie Walker IV added a point from the free-throw line, and Laurynas Birutis scored four points, 7-10. Ignas Brazdeikis made three three-pointers and Birutis scored two points with a foul at the end of the first quarter, 19-21.

Arnas Butkevicius, Sylvain Francisco and Walker IV scored on free throws, while Alen Smailagic finished a fast break with a dunk and made a three-pointer on the next possession, 29-29. Deividas Sirvydis connected from long range, Ulanovas scored a two-pointer and Francisco scored five points in a row, 39-32.

Sirvydis started the second half with a three-pointer and two free throws, Ulanovas added two points with a foul, and Matt Mitchell hit a three-pointer to make it 50-40. Brazdeikis scored as shot-clock expired, Mitchell added another three-pointer and Francisco hit a mid-range jumper at the third quarter buzzer to make it 57-48.

Smailagic scored from under the basket and added three free throws, while Brazdeikis made a three-pointer to make it 65-56. Francisco and Brazdeikis made two free throws, Walker IV added one, Smailagic scored five points, Butkevicius made a three-pointer and Kaunas celebrated the victory, 78-67.

Brazdeikis led the winners with 16 points, while Smailagic added a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds.