Zalgiris Kaunas (20-2) had to sweat for another victory in the Betsafe-LKL Championship. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated Nevezis-Optibet Kedainiai (6-16) by 84-80 (21-16, 20-18, 26-26, 17-20) on the road.

Laurynas Birutis terrorized the defense and scored 7 points early, while Dovydas Giedraitis and Sylvain Francisco made layups, 12-11. Giedraitis and Alen Smailagic made no mistakes from the free-throw line, Ignas Brazdeikis hit a three-pointer (19-13), and Francisco made free-throws as well, 21-16.

Francisco scored from mid-range, Matt Mitchell added 4 points, and after Isaiah Wong, Giedraitis and Deividas Sirvydis made shots from under the basket, Zalgiris pulled away a little bit, 35-26. Birutis made a layup after Wong’s assist, Sirvydis hit a three-pointer (40-28), but at the end of the quarter the hosts got a bit closer, 41-34.

Edgaras Ulanovas scored 4 points, Birutis finished underneath, and Francisco hit two three-pointers to make it 53-43 at the start of the third quarter. Sirvydis dunked on a fast-break and Francisco increased the lead to 12 points, 58-46. Smailagic scored 7 points in a row and Giedraitis finished the quarter with a buzzer-beater, 67-60.

Within four and a half minutes Zalgiris got the only three-pointer from Sirvydis, which cut the difference to the minimum, 70-69. Arnas Butkevicius scored among Francisco’s layups, but Kedainiai team took the lead after a long time, 76-77. In the clutch, Francisco connected on two three-pointers and Arnas Butkevicius’ free throws closed the game, 84-80.

Francisco led the scorers with 25 points. Birutis had 11, and Sirvydis added 10 points in the win.