By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris Kaunas opened the Betsafe LKL playoffs with a convincing 90-71 win over Nevezis at home and is just one win away from the semifinals.
Laurynas Birutis led the way with a double-double of 15 points and ten rebounds.
Three more players ended the match with the same scoring performance: Ignas Brazdeikis, Karolis Lukosiunas, and Edgaras Ulanovas. Tomas Dimsa followed the leading quartet with 10 points.
On the other side, Deshawn Freeman had a double-double of 23 points and 10 boards, while Aaron Cook added 12, as Tim Lambrecht followed with 10 points.
Zalgiris’ path is crossing with Lietkabelis, who opened their quarterfinal series with an 85-73 win over Juventus. Teams from Kaunas and Panevezys met in the last season’s semifinals, with Nenad Canak’s team stopping the most decorated Lithuanian team for the first time ever before the final.
Rytas took the lead over Neptunas with a 107-99 win, and Jonava against BC Wolves with the only away win of the first round of the quarterfinals, 80-76.
LKL quarterfinals (best of three):
Zalgiris – Nevezis 90-71 /1-0/
Lietkabelis – Juventus 85-73 /1-0/
Rytas – Neptunas 107-99 /1-0/
BC Wolves – Jonava 76-80 /0-1/