By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris started 2022 by defeating Nevezis-Optibet, 77-69, to improve to 14-1 in Lithuania’s Betsafe LKL Regular Season.
Syracuse-born forward Tyler Cavanaugh posted an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double for the team coached by Jure Zdovc at Kedainiai Arena. He ended up 7/12 from the field.
Arturas Milaknis followed with 14 points behind four triples. Janis Strelnieks and Marek Blazevic added 12 points each. Edgaras Ulanovas threw in eight points, seven rebounds, and three assists in Sunday’s contest.
The hosts were down by a margin of 14 points in the third quarter but got back into shooting distance during the fourth quarter. Croatian Sven Smajlagic packing 19 points and Latvian Rihards Kuksiks with 16 points were not enough to prevent the drop to 3-11 in the domestic league.
Josh Nebo was a late scratch due to an illness. Joffrey Lauvergne and Regimantas Miniotas remained sidelined for the team currently ranked last in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season with a poor 3-13 W-L tally.
Rytas marches to 13-1
Rytas blew out Dzukija, 88-61, retaining its status as a close second in the LKL behind Zalgiris. Youngster Lukas Uleckas registered 23 points as his side went up to 13-1.
The team based in Vilnius recently secured direct entry into the Basketball Champions League Round of 16 and was placed in Group L alongside fellow Regular Season Group winner Falco Szombathely. Two more teams coming out of the Play-Ins will complete the group.
Lietkabelis notches tenth win
Third-placed Lietkabelis routed CBet Jonava, 88-69, to move up to 10-5 in the Lithuanian league. Kristupas Zemaitis and Kaspars Berzins both scored 18 points for the team based in Panevezys.
Sunday results:
Lietkabelis – CBet Jonava 88-69
Nevezis-Optibet – Zalgiris 69-77
Dzukija – Rytas 61-88
Photo Credit: BC Zalgiris Kaunas Twitter