By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With only one road win and the local powerhouses Zalgiris Kaunas and Rytas Vilnius getting the “W” the LKL 2020-21 started this weekend.
Neptunas – Dzukija 84-81
The 2020-21 Lithuanian League campaign tipped off with a clash between Neptunas and Dzukija as the former logged the first win of the new season with 84-81 on the scoreboard.
Martynas Mazeika led the way with 19 points while Simas Galdikas added 16 and Tadas Pazera 12 points. For Dzukija, Matas Jucikas and Tadas Rinkunas scored 14 points each.
Pieno Zvaigzdes – Nevezis-Optibet 72-82
Domantas Vilys banked 18 points in 12 minutes as Nevezis-Optibet got an 82-72 win against Pieno Zvaigzdes.
Panagiotis Kalaitzakis logged a double-double with 17 points and ten boards while Vaidas Cepukaitis had 12 and nine. On the other side, Paulius Petrilevicius scored 18 and Arvydas Siksnius 16 points.
Rytas – Juventus 106-77
Rytas put on one of the most convincing performances the first gameday with a 106-77 victory over Juventus.
Demetrius Jackson had an all-around performance with 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists while Andrew Goudelock scored 15 points. For Juventus, Ignas Vaitkus logged 15 and Vytautas Sulskis14 points.
Zalgiris – Siauliai 89-56
Before the game against Siauliai, Zalgiris Kaunas was presented with the trophy of the 2020 championship title. The team was crowned champion of the previous season after it was decided that the league will be canceled amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The champions then proceeded to rout their opponents 89 – 56 behind 16 points and eight rebounds by newcomer Joffrey Lauvergne. Marcus Dimsa and Marius Grigonis added 12 points apiece.
For Siauliai, Andy Van Vliet had 14 points and Ryan Anderson posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Prienai – Lietkabelis 87-84
Prienai stunned Lietkabelis 87 – 84 with a strong and balanced team effort. Regimantas Miniotas dominated with 16 points and 12 rebounds while Egidijus Dimša scored 16 points and Mindaugas Sušinskas pitched in 13 points and eight boards.
Kyle Vinales (13 points) and Paulius Valinskas (13 points) were the top contributors for Lietkabelis.
Photo: LKL