By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The EuroLeague motto is “every game matters”, but that was not the case in Lyon.
Still, ASVEL, after beating Olympiacos, also prevailed over Zalgiris (88-79) to end the double-action week on a high note.
After this result, the French side improved to 13-19, and Zalgiris dropped to 14-18 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings, both without a chance to make it to the postseason.
Theo Maledon, with 19 points, and Nando De Colo with 14, led the charge for the winners, who once more played with their traditional green jerseys.
“This jersey means a lot, and we had to show what it is about”, said Maledon after the final buzzer.
On the other side, Sylvaine Fransisco, with 19 points and eight assists, did his best, while big man Laurynas Birutis (photo), with 18 points and eight rebounds, also had a great night, but Zalgiris in total had 20 turnovers.
A strong finish
ASVEL had the advantage in the first half, leading 23-18 after the first period and 40-34 at halftime. The hosts led by 10 (36-26) with Maledon scoring 16 points, however, Laurynas Birutis with 12 first-half points helped Zalgiris close the gap.
The Lithuanians stayed close, but ASVEL opened the third period by pushing their lead back to eight points (51-43).
That was the wake-up call for Zalgiris to finally enter the game, and with a 15-3 run, completed by a Sirvydis three (58-55), finally got the lead, for the first time in the game.
Still, ASVEL entered the last period leading 63-61 after a three-pointer by Nando De Colo and with a 9-0 run, and built a 69-61 cushion.
However, with three minutes left, Zalgiris trailed by three (78-75) after one made free throw by Francisco. Τhe answer was a big three by David Lighty (81-75), and Zalgiris couldn’t get into sticking distance again.
Photo credit: EuroLeague