Zalgiris Kaunas (25-2) took home another victory in the Betsafe-LKL Championship. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (15-12) by 81-69 (18-18, 19-22, 22-20, 22-9) on the road.
Laurynas Birutis broke through the defense, Deividas Sirvydis scored 5 points and Ignas Brazdeikis hit a three-pointer to make it 10-5. Birutis scored a two-pointer with a foul, Edgaras Ulanovas added 5 points (18-12), but Zalgiris’ poor rebounding allowed the hosts to level the score, 18-18.
Sylvain Francisco scored his first points on free throws, while Matt Mitchell and Brazdeikis made jumpers each, 24-26. Mitchell made another shot, and Isaiah Wong’s free throw was sandwiched between Alen Smailagic’s two layups, 31-33. Wong and Francisco finished the second period with three-pointers, 37-40.
In the first half of the third period, Zalgiris’ game revolved around Smailagic, who hit a mid-range jumper, made a pass to Arnas Butkevicius for a three-pointer, and saved the possession with a dunk, 44-42. Francisco sank free throws and Smailagic added 5 more points, 51-50. Bryant Dunston scored with a foul, Butkevicius converted his free throws, 56-53. Birutis made a free throw, Dovydas Giedraitis stole the ball to close the third quarter, 59-60.
Francisco’s pass to the three-point line found Sirvydis free, and then he scored 8 points himself, 70-65. Francisco also fed Giedraitis, Brazdeikis and Dunston with assists, 78-65. Brazdeikis scored the last points for Zalgiris, 81-69.
Francisco collected 15 points and 6 assists in the win. Smailagic and Brazdeikis scored 13 points each.
