By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Looking doomed just one week ago, Zalgiris Kaunas recovered from a six-game losing streak and went on with yet another win, 92-73, versus TD Systems Baskonia Tuesday in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 14 action.
Arturas Milaknis connected five shots from beyond the arc for a season-high 15 points. Lukas Lekavicius threw in 13 more points and Joffrey Lauvergne 12. On the other end, Youssoupha Fall logged in a team-high 14 points.
“I feel good. All my teammates feel great. You could see it on the court. I think everybody hit some threes,” said Milaknis, “First of all, we had really good energy from the beginning of the game, and we kept it up all day long, the energy and the defense.”
The hosts controlled the first half and an improved defensive effort in the second half blew out Baskonia. Martin Schiller’s team balanced its EuroLeague tally at 7-7 and finally prevailed at the Zalgirio Arena after five consecutive losses at home.
“The entire third quarter was extremely important. We kept them to 11 points,” noted Schiller, “I thought that was kind of the game, not the whole game, but almost. I thought that was crucial.”
Zalgiris hit 18/26 threes. The lack of energy on the defensive end was a topic discussed by the visiting head coach ruling out any fatigue issues.
“I don’t recognize this word, tired. If you think you are tired, you are tired. If you think you can’t run, you don’t run,” mentioned Dusko Ivanovic on his players’ poor showing, “Today we did not have the mentality to play how we normally play.”
Patricio Garino and Steve Vasturia were out. On the bottom end of the two-game week, the Lithuanian outlet will host Fenerbahce Beko.
Ivanovic’s side outplayed went down to 6-7. Another game on the road follows, against FC Bayern Munich Friday.