Zalgiris Kaunas players started the 2024-2025 Betsafe-LKL season with a victory. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated Siauliai - Casino Admiral 91-63 (17-19, 23-15, 28-16, 23-13) on the road.
Ignas Brazdeikis scored the first 5 points for Zalgiris, but the visitors were trailing 5-12 at the half-point of the first quarter. Matt Mitchell made a three-pointer and Arnas Butkevicius and Sylvain Francisco added a layup each to tie the game at 12-12. Siauliai responded with a 7-0 run of their own, which was cut by Francisco’s three-pointer and his flashy assist to Deividas Sirvydis, 17-19.
Sirvydis added 4 more points, Dovydas Giedraitis connected on a mid-range jumper and Brazdeikis scored from under the basket, but the hosts were still ahead, 25-30. Laurynas Birutis made free throws to reduce the difference, Lukas Lekavicius came off the bench to score 5 points, Brazdeikis scored again, Brady Manek hit a three-pointer and Birutis finished the second quarter with a 2+1, 40-34.
Brazdeikis opened the third quarter with a three-pointer, Francisco blocked the shot and finished the fastbreak, and the 13-0 spurt was completed by points from Bryant Dunston, Manek and Butkevicius, 53-36. Mitchell scored with contact, Francisco and Edgaras Ulanovas converted free throws, 60-42. Sirvydis and Ulanovas finished the quarter with three-pointers, while Birutis made a floater, 68-50.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Birutis scored 4 points, Lekavicius added 5 points, and Alen Smailagic made a three-pointer from the corner, 80-52. Mitchell scored after a pass from Francisco, Sirvydis scored 4 points, Smailagic dunked it home and Brazdeikis finished the scoring, 91-63.
Sirvydis and Brazdeikis were the leading scorers for Zalgiris with 14 points, while Lekavicius and Birutis added 11 points each.
