Zalgiris Kaunas (13-2) played a tough game in the Betsafe-LKL Championship. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated Nevezis-Optibet Kedainiai (3-12) by 88-86 (26-21, 23-24, 18-20, 21-21).
Matt Mitchell and Brady Manek tied the game with three-pointers after assists from Laurynas Birutis (6-6), Dovydas Giedraitis scored a free throw and assisted a long-range shot by Brady Manek, 10-8. Birutis scored after an offensive rebound, Lukas Lekavicius made two three-pointers and Edgaras Ulanovas converted the free throws, 20-13. At the end of the quarter, Birutis scored from under the basket and Lekavicius added 4 points, 26-21.
At the beginning of the second quarter Ignas Brazdeikis scored 4 points, while Mitchell and Arnas Butkevicius added 2 points each - 34-28. Lekavicius sank free throws, Manekas scored on a fast break and Mantas Juzenas hit a three-pointer - 41-33. Mitchell found Manek under the basket and soon scored 4 points himself, and Lekavicius closed the first half with free throws - 49-45.
At the beginning of the third quarter, Manek cut under the basket and Birutis collected 4 points, 55-45. Brazdeikis scored, Lekavicius added 6 points in a row, 63-55. Birutis and Giedraitis scored 2 points each, but the opponents got closer, 67-65.
Giedraitis drove to the basket, Brazdeikis sank free throws, Giedraitis fed Alen Smailagic and Matt Mitchell with assists, 75-67. Mitchell scored 2 more points, Birutis played aggressively, but Nevezis tied the score, 79-79. Giedraitis scored 4 points in a row and Birutis added a free throw, 84-79. The visitors tied the score again (84-84), Birutis scored after offensive rebound, and Brazdeikis and Smailagic scored 1 free throw each to seal the fragile victory, 88-86.
Lekavicius led with 20 points. Birutis added 15 points and 9 rebounds.
