Zalgiris Kaunas (10-2) recorded its tenth victory in the Betsafe-LKL Championship. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated Neptunas Klaipeda (6-6) by 91-75 (25-14, 23-23, 21-20, 22-18) at Zalgirio Arena.
Arnas Butkevicius opened the game with a three-pointer and assisted Matt Mitchell in the next possession, while Laurynas Birutis dunked after Deividas Sirvydis’ pass, 7-4. Birutis scored 5 more points, Alen Smailagic finished the alley-oop dunk after a pass from Sylvain Francisco, Brady Manek and Ignas Brazdeikis hit a three-pointer each, and another lob from Francisco to Smailagic finished the first quarter, 25-14.
Smailagic continued to terrorize the opponent’s defence, Edgaras Ulanovas made a floater and assisted Lonnie Walker IV for a long-range shot, 34-22. Birutis, Lukas Lekavicius and Mitchell scored to make it 40-29, but the visitors got closer to 40-35. Smailagic scored 4 more points, Butkevicius hit a free throw and Sirvydis finished the second quarter with a three-pointer, 48-37.
Francisco and Walker IV each hit a three-pointer early in the third period to make it 54-41. Birutis scored from under the basket, Sirvydis made a three-pointer (59-48), Brazdeikis scored 3 points, Smailagic scored again, and Lekavicius finished the quarter with 5 points, 69-57.
Walker IV scored and assisted Smailagic for a long shot, 74-58. Sirvydis connected on a three-pointer with a foul, Smailagic and Brazdeikis made layups, Sirvydis was again on target from long range, 85-70. Lekavicius and Butkevicius closed the game with three-pointers, 91-75.
Smailagic was perfect from the field with all 7 made field goals, and finished the game with 19 points. Sirvydis added 13, Birutis had 11 and Lekavicius scored 10 points.
