Dominant fourth quarter allows Zalgiris to beat Mazeikiai 17
Zalgiris Kaunas (4-0) won another game in the Betasafe-LKL Championship. The Lithuanian champions beat M Basket-Delamode Mazeikiai (0-4) 73-69 (15-16, 20-27, 10-14, 28-12) in Telsiai, although they shot only 20% from distance (7/35 three-pointers).
The game started in a very unproductive way, and the Zalgiris had to wait more than four minutes for their first points, when Danielius Lavrinovicius scored on free throws (2-3). The big man also hit a three-pointer, Naz Mitrou-Long scored five points, Laurynas Birutis scored from under the basket, Keenan Evans made two free throws, and Edgaras Ulanovas added one, 15-16.
Lukas Lekavicius scored five points in a row at the beginning of the second quarter, Rolands Smits successfully penetrated under the basket and Evans made a three-pointer, 25-28. Tomas Dimsa found easy points under the basket, Brady Manek scored five points, Mitrou-Long made two free throws and Dimsa hit one, but the deficit grew to 35-43.
After the break, the visitors’ troubles didn’t end, Evans scored six points, Dovydas Giedraitis added a point, but the deficit reached double digits, 42-52. Manek made one free throw and Ulanovas made two, but the situation remained the same, 45-57.
Arnas Butkevicius scored two points in a quick offensive possession, Ulanovas converted a technical foul, Smias dunked it home, and after seven points by Evans the score was already tied at 57-57. Ulanovas first scored a two-pointer with a foul, then he also made a three-pointer with a foul, Smits dunked with a left hand, Butkevicius scored from under the basket, Ulanovas added four more points, and Dimsa, who was standing at the free throw line, clinched the victory, 73-69.
Evans was the best scorer for Zalgiris with 17 points, while Ulanovas added 15.
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