By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Bouncing back in style, Neptunas rolled Zalgiris, 87-78, in Klaipeda Monday. The team coached by Dainius Adomaitis tied the Betsafe LKL Playoffs Quarterfinals best-of-five series at 2-2.
Youngster Nojus Mineikis sank six three-pointers to set his season-high at 23 points. Former Zalgiris swingman Matas Jogela added 19 points and Deividas Gailius threw in 18 more points. Benas Griciunas posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double. Rounding up the double-digit scoring pack, Edgaras Zelionis made his way to 11 points.
Game 4 saw the Kaunas side initially rallying from a double-digit deficit but a 14-2 run in the middle of the fourth quarter put the hosts back in a commanding position. The deficit growing back into double-digits was cut down to six points in the last minute of action but Zalgiris failed to complete a second comeback.
After recovering from a leg injury and returning to action in Game 3, Tai Webster scored 17 points, a personal-best for the 2021-22 season. Lukas Lekavicius drew a team-high 19 points, while Karolis Lukosiunas, Joffrey Lauvergne, and Tyler Cavanaugh got to 12, 11, and 10 points, respectively. Edgaras Ulanovas (calf) was sidelined for the team guided by Kazys Maksvytis.
Game 5 will be held in Kaunas Wednesday. Lietkabelis will take the winner of the do-or-die contest in the next round in a best-of-five series. Top-seeded Rytas is matched up with Siauliai-7bet. From there, a best-of-seven series will decide both the champion and the team ranking third in the final rankings.
Photo Credit: BC Zalgiris Kaunas Twitter