Zalgiris Kaunas (27-2) took home another victory in the Betsafe-LKL Championship. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated Uniclub Bet - Juventus Utena (12-17) by 96-75 (18-16, 21-17, 31-18, 26-24) on the road.
Alen Smailagic, Laurynas Birutis and Bryant Dunston scored the first points for Zalgiris from under the basket, 8-7. Ignas Brazdeikis connected from mid-range, Edgaras Ulanovas sank free throws and Sylvain Francisco scored 6 points, 18-16.
Smailagic and Dunston opened the second quarter with shots from under the basket, Dovydas Buika was on point from long range, 26-20. After the home team tied the score, Smailagic put in a layup after a pass from Francisco, Brazdeikis found Dovydas Giedraitis in the corner for a free three-pointer, 31-27. Smailagic continued his great game, hitting two three-pointers and collecting his 16th point, 39-33.
Birutis started the third period with 5 points, while Brazdeikis, Ulanovas and Buika made a three-pointer each, 53-37. Brazdeikis scored 4 points, Giedraitis drove with a foul, Francisco made a block and finished a coast-to-cast run, 63-44. Buika hit his third three-pointer and Smailagic added 4 points, 70-51.
Birutis scored 4 points, Smailagic made a three-pointer from the corner, Giedraitis broke through under the basket and Brazdeikis scored 4 points, 83-61.Matt Mitchell, Ulanovas and Birutis each scored, and Buika made his free-throws, 91-68. Seventeen-year-old Ignas Stombergas immediately scored with a foul, and the final shot of the game was made by Mitchell, 96-75.
Smailagic finished the game with 23 points. Birutis and Brazdeikis added 13 points each for the guests.
