Zalgiris Kaunas achieved third victory in the Betsafe-LKL Championship. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated Nevezis-Optibet Kedainiai 89-76 (27-19, 24-19, 20-23, 18-15) on the road.
Tyrone Wallace got off to a strong start, scoring twice in a row with fouls, Ignas Brazdeikis hit a three-pointer, Bryant Dunston dunked, and Matt Mitchell scored on a fast break after a pass from Wallace to make it 13-3. Deividas Sirvydis scored 6 points, while Ignas Brazdeikis and Sylvain Francisco each hit a three-pointer and Zalgiris was in front 25-10. In the remaining 2 minutes of the first quarter, the hosts hit some impressive three-pointers and the gap was reduced to 27-19.
At the beginning of the second quarter, Sirvydis and Dovydas Giedraitis scored 5 points each (37-25), Brazdeikis broke through under the basket, and Sirvydis and Lukas Lekavicius hit a three-pointer apiece to make it 45-31. Sirvydis scored his 16th point, Brazdeikis made a layup, and the first half was closed by free throws by Laurynas Birutis, 51-38.
Wallace opened the third period with 8 consecutive points, while Brazdeikis and Dunston scored after offensive rebounds, 63-41. Kedainiai responded with a good stretch of their own, with only Francisco’s free throws getting in the way, 65-55. Arnas Butkevicius also sank free throws, Wallace scored 4 more points, 71-61.
Edgaras Ulanovas scored 4 points, but Kedainiai reduced the difference to 5 points, 75-70. Brazdeikis beat his opponent, Giedraitis stole the ball and scored easy points, Brazdeikis and Dunston got on the board again, 84-73. Wallace scored the last 5 points for the winners, 89-76.
Wallace led the scoring with 23 points. Brazdeikis added 17, Sirvydis finished the game with 16 points.
