By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Before hosting FC Barcelona on Friday, Zalgiris defeated Dzukija, 74-63, on Monday.
Experienced point guard Lukas Lekavicius made 7/11 field goals scoring a game-high 15 points and fueling the late push to earn the Betsafe LKL Regular Season win. He dished out five assists as well.
Captain Paulius Jankunas contributed ten points and nine rebounds. The team coached by Jure Zdovc notching its 12th win in a row improved the league-leading W-L tally to 20-1. Rytas sits second at 18-3 and Lietkabelis follows in third place carrying a 17-5 record.
Power forward Tyler Cavanaugh was ruled out after rolling his ankle during Thursday’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 28 game against his former team ALBA Berlin and is questionable to play versus Barca in Round 29. The loss in Germany pushed Zalgiris down to 6-16 in Europe’s premier club continental competition, sitting 3.5 games outside the top eight seeds awarding a berth to the Playoffs.
Remaining on the injury list was Mantas Kalnietis after recently undergoing ankle surgery. The 35-year-old guard is considered questionable to be cleared for a return to action before the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
As for Dzukija, the hosts suffered a third straight loss and were forced down to 8-13. Veteran forward Mindaugas Lukauskis registered a team-high 12 points.
Elsewhere, Labas Gas upset Uniclub Casino – Juventus in overtime, 88-81, to move up to 3-19 and force the visitors down to 10-10.
Sunday results:
Dzukija – Zalgiris 63-74
Labas Gas – Uniclub Casino – Juventus 88-81 OT (76-76)
Photo Credit: BC Zalgiris Kaunas Twitter