Zalgiris Kaunas (33-2) continued the impressive run in the Betsafe-LKL Championship. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated Vilnius Rytas (28-7) by 97-79 (25-11, 22-18, 22-26, 28-24) at Zalgirio Arena.
Ignas Brazdeikis opened the game, Arnas Butkevicius hit a three-pointer and added a layup, Alen Smailagic dunked it hard and Sylvain Francisco scored 5 points to make it 14-7. Brazdeikis connected from long range after a pass from Francisco, Edgaras Ulanovas made a hook shot and Laurynas Birutis made a free throw to increase the difference to double digits, 20-10. Deividas Sirvydis finished the first quarter with 5 points, 25-11.
Rytas started the second period with 4 straight points, but soon Sirvydis scored from long range, Francisco broke through under the basket and made assists to Matt Mitchell and Bryant Dunston, 34-15. Francisco converted his free throws, Brazdeikis hit a three-pointer and Mitchell made a mid-range jumper, 41-22. Mitchell received a pass from Butkevicius, Smailagic hit a mid-range jumper, and Mitchell scored 2 more points, 47-29.
At the beginning of the third quarter Brazdeikis and Smailagic scored 4 points each, 55-35. Dovydas Giedraitis was accurate from mid-range, Dunston made 2 free throws, Francisco and Ulanovas added 1 each, 61-47. Sirvydis and Birutis converted assists from Francisco, while Giedraitis and Sirvydis were on target from mid-range, 69-55.
Francisco scored from mid-range, Brazdeikis made free throws and Mitchell had 5 points, 78-60. Brazdeikis and Sirvydis broke through under the basket, Francisco added a three-pointer and a free throw, Giedraitis and Mitchell scored 2 points each, 90-67. Smailagic scored 4 points and Giedraitis hit a three-pointer, 97-79.
Brazdeikis and Francisco led Zalgiris with 16 points each. Mitchell added 15 points, Sirvydis finished with 14 points.
