By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris Kaunas keeps up its winning streak into the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season after defeating Crvena Zvezda 75-69 on the road for Round 3.
Lukas Lekavicius led all scorers for Martin Schiller’s squad with 16 points (6/7 FG), four assists in 24 minutes, as well as a decisive pair of free throws in the last seconds of the game, while Joffrey Lauvergne had 12 points on 5-8 and 7 boards.
Rokas Jokubaitis (9 points) scored a three-pointer to place the visitors ahead 69-62 with 7 minutes left in the game, with no reaction from Zvezda for nearly five minutes in the final period.
“We knew it was going to be a very physical game, a very defensively-oriented game. That is how Sasa [Obradovic]’s teams play and that’s what we anticipated. We are pleased”, said Schiller after the game.
Jordan Loyd was there to give hope to the hosts with their first basket in the fourth quarter with 2:42 remaining, though his overall 19-point effort wasn’t enough to save the day despite a brave comeback.
Torrian Walden also exited the court in double digits for the Serbian team with 11 points, including a shot at the final buzzer. Dejan Davidovac also posted 11 points, four rebounds.
“We have to be much smarter. In some parts of the game we were not patient, we took tough bad shots, which gives more confidence to Zalgiris. Honestly I’m not happy with the way we played, we have to learn from this one and go on to the next one”, were coach Sasa Obradovic‘s remarks.
The Lithuanian side had a packed traveling schedule prior to Tuesday’s game, with a trip to Moscow and a victory against Khimki on Saturday, before returning to its base and flying off to Belgrade again, though they rose to the occasion successfully.
Zvezda suffered its second defeat of the season, while its Thursday game against ASVEL remains at stake, after the numerous COVID-19 cases reported in the French team. Zalgiris will face Anadolu Efes at home with hopes to keep up its streak while playing its home opener.
Photo: EuroLeague