Zalgiris Kaunas (28-2) defeated Nevezis-Optibet Kedainiai (10-20) for the fourth time this season. Andrea Trinchieri’s team downed their opponents 105-88 (24-18, 27-30, 29-23, 25-17) at Zalgirio Arena.
Alen Smailagic scored the first 5 points of the game, Matt Mitchell connected on a three-pointer, Sylvain Francisco made free throws, Laurynas Birutis shot his trademark floater, and Smailagic was accurate stepping on a three-point line, 14-4. Mitchell scored from mid-range, Edgaras Ulanovas and Bryant Dunston went tough under the basket and Deividas Sirvydis put it up from long range, 23-10. At the end of the first quarter, the opponents got a little closer, 24-18.
Dunston scored his fourth consecutive point, Isaiah Wong broke under the basket, Francisco hit a three-pointer and Mitchell scored 6 points in a row, 39-29. Wong scored from close range, Brazdeikis from long range, Francisco made 4 free throws, Brazdeikis went through with an eurostep and Birutis made one free throw, 51-48.
Francisco opened the third period with 5 points, while Smailagic and Dovydas Giedraitis scored a three-pointer each, 62-56. The three-point streak was extended by Smailagic, Wong and Giedraitis, 71-62. Sirvydis hit a floater, Mitchell scored 5 points in a row, and Birutis finished the quarter with a dunk, 80-71.
Birutis finished a 2+1, and Ulanovas’ putback was sandwiched between two three-pointers by Mitchell, 91-76. Brazdeikis added 5 points, Giedraitis was on point, and Wong scored Zalgiris’ 100th point, 100-84. Mantas Laurencikas made a free throw, Wong scored two more points, and Smailagic’s alley-oop to Birutis ended the game, 105-88.
Mitchell made 5 three-pointers and tallied 22 points. Francisco collected 14 points and 8 assists. Smailagic and Wong scored 11 and 10 points respectively.
