By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Seventh win in a row as Lithuania wrapped up friendly action in Avia Solutions Group Arena Friday.
In-form Ignas Brazdeikis scored 16 points powering the 94-68 victory over the Netherlands in Vilnius. Captain Jonas Valanciunas added 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one block. Besides the New Orleans Pelicans player, fellow NBA big man Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings went for ten points, five rebounds, and four assists. Playing time spread between the 13 available players limited the NBA stars to 17 and 18 minutes of action, respectively.
Added to the mix, free agent Mindaugas Kuzminskas tallied 11 points surfacing for the first time at the bottom end of the series of friendly games. Up next are the fixtures opposite Hungary and Montenegro to start Group K of the 2023 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers. From there, the team guided by Kazys Maksvytis will compete against Slovenia, France, Germany, Hungary, and Bosnia-Herzegovina in deep Group B of the 2022 EuroBasket.
On the opposite end, the rough series of friendly games for Maurizio Buscaglia’s side was marked by the injury of Yannick Franke with the PAOK mateco ruled out for the remainder of international action this offseason, besides the five defeats in as many games. Olaf Schaftenaar stood out with 17 points in the latest losing effort. The Oranje will play Georgia and Spain tipping off Group L of the World Cup European Qualifiers next week. In EuroBasket’s Group D, Serbia, Israel, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Finland are the opponents in Prague.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL