Zalgiris Kaunas (31-2) recorded another victory in the Betsafe-LKL championship and extended their winning streak to 27. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated CBet Jonava (19-14) by 91-81 (20-24, 25-22, 25-12, 21-23) on the road.
Only Sylvain Francisco was accurate from mid-range at the beginning of the game, as visitors were trailing 2-11. Later, Laurynas Birutis scored twice and Alen Smailagic dunked in the fastbreak, 8-16. In the remaining 4 minutes of the first half, Smailagic connected on 2 three-pointers and 2 free throws, Edgaras Ulanovas made no mistakes from the free throw line, and Ignas Brazdeikis finished the last possession with a layup to make it 20-24.
Isaiah Wong with a mid-range, Edgars Ulanovas with a three-pointer and Matt Mitchell with 2 free throws extended Zalgiris’ good stretch, 27-24. Ulanovas and Dovydas Giedraitis scored from long range, while Francisco and Giedraitis added drives to make it 37-33. Deividas Sirvydis scored a three-pointer, made a good pass to Francisco for his triple, who then returned the favor with an assist to cutting Sirvydis (45-41), but after the second quarter Zalgiris had a minimal deficit, 45-46.
Brazdeikis started the third period with a layup, Francisco sank 3 free throws and Birutis scored 7 points, 59-50. Smailagic and Sirvydis were accurate from long range, Wong added a mid-range shot, and Giedraitis finished the quarter with an impressive three-pointer at the buzzer from almost half court, 70-58.
Dunston started the fourth quarter powerfully, scoring 6 points, blocking his opponent’s shot and passing the ball to Sirvydis, 80-63. Francisco broke under the basket and scored a three-pointer after a pass from Ulanovas, while Dunston and Wong converted free throws to make it 91-81.
Francisco led Zalgiris with 15 points and 7 assists. Smailagic added 13 points, Birutis had 11 points.
