Zalgiris Kaunas (18-2) extended their winning streak in the Betsafe-LKL Championship. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated Rytas Vilnius (16-4) on the road, 83-76 (24-14, 17-20, 24-15, 18-27).
Ignas Brazdeikis scored 4 points for Zalgiris early in the game, while Edgaras Ulanovas added 5 points, 9-8. Laurynas Birutis scored with a foul, Deividas Sirvydis and Brazdeikis finished inside to force the opponents to call a timeout, 16-11. Birutis scored again after a pass from Brazdeikis, Sirvydis and Ulanovas made a three-pointer each, and Birutis and Sirvydis cemented Zalgiris’ defense with blocks, 24-14.
Sylvain Francisco played a pick-and-roll with Bryant Dunston and made a long-range shot himself, 29-20. After a few turnovers, the difference was reduced to the minimum (29-28), until finally a three-pointer by Francisco and two-point baskets by Brazdeikis and Dovydas Giedraitis broke the silence, 36-30. Birutis scored after another pass from Brazdeikis and Sirvydis finished the second quarter with a three-pointer, 41-34.
Birutis started the third quarter with 5 points and an assist to Francisco, 49-36. Birutis scored his 14th point, Isaiah Wong drove from coast to coast and assisted Dunston’s dunk on the next possession, 56-40. Wong and Dunston hit 1 free throw each, Ulanovas added 2, and Wong added 5 more points to finish the third quarter, 65-49.
Dunston, Giedraitis and Birutis made layups to maintain a 16-point lead, 71-55. Then the opponents spurted with a 9-0 run, before Brazdeikis’ three-pointer ended Zalgiris’ poor stretch, and Francisco added a breakthrough basket, 76-67. As Rytas got closer to 76-72, Francisco hit the decisive three-pointer and Giedraitis and Ulanovas made free throws to close the game, 83-76.
Birutis was the leading player for Zalgiris with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Francisco scored 14 points, Ulanovas added 12 points, while Brazdeikis collected 11 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
