By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris Kaunas is pushing hard to escape from the bottom of the standings and proved so with a smashing 104-80 victory against ALBA Berlin at home, for Round 21 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
Sarunas Jasikevicius took the chance to utilize his rotation at the fullest, with KC Rivers leading the winning side with 17 points. Edgaras Ulanovas followed with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Jock Landale and Nigel Hayes posted 12 points apiece.
On the other end of the court, Landry Nnoko filled the stat sheet with 15 points and seven rebounds for a PIR of 27.
Zalgiris’ sold-out game turns into a feast
The sold-out game at the Zalgirio Arena quickly turned into a one-team show, with Zalgiris seizing control in the first quarter with 23-9. The home team enjoyed a fully productive second period to lead 54-27 at halftime, setting the foundations for the victory.
The margin between the two teams went up to 34 points at the 29-minute mark, with the Lithuanian side eventually ahead with 84-52 after 30 minutes. ALBA made its own run in the fourth paced by Nnoko, though it was too late to cover up the deficit.
“Hopefully we can have more evenings like this in EuroLeague – in the toughest competition in the world it doesn’t happen often. I think we understand we’re much better, we’re playing good basketball. Some lessons still to learn, but it’s better to learn your lessons when you’re winning than when you’re losing”, commented coach Jasikevicius after the game.
Zalgiris took a big step with this victory, as they tied ALBA, Zenit St. Petersburg and FC Bayern Munich to a 7-14 record in the lower place of the standings. As the season progresses, it is obvious that every single team can set sights for the playoffs, and Zalgiris is finding its momentum at the most crucial turn. It remains to be seen if they can turn this week’s victory into a streak next week when they face ASVEL Villeurbanne on the road.
Photo: EuroLeague