By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Carrying a double-digit lead most of the way, Zalgiris netted the win, 92-78, against Uniclub Casino-Juventus in Zalgirio Arena Friday.
A couple of days off the three-game sweep by FC Barcelona and team icon Sarunas Jasikevicius in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, Italian import Achille Polonara went for ten points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in Betsafe LKL action. Isaiah Taylor, Kevarrius Hayes, and Rolands Smits threw in 12 points each, and Arnas Butkevicius added ten more points.
Edgaras Ulanovas did not play and Laurynas Birutis did not dress. Recently ramping up activities on the way to his first appearance since mid-December, Tyler Cavanaugh (back) was also ruled out. The other member of the injury list, Keenan Evans (Achilles) will not return this season.
Improving to 27-4, the team based in Kaunas needs one more win to secure the top seed, meaning homecourt advantage throughout the Playoffs of Lithuania’s top-flight league. Visiting CBet Sunday and 7-Bet Lietkabelis Tuesday wraps up the regular-season schedule. With one game to play, Rytas sits second with a 26-6 W-L tally and the tiebreaking advantage.
Juventus fell to 18-15 at the end of its own regular-season schedule. The team based in Utena will enter the postseason bracket on the fifth or sixth seed depending on the outcome of the Zalgiris game against CBet.
At Kalnapilio Arena, host Lietkabelis defeated Pieno Zvaigzdes, 95-90. Experienced guard Jamel Morris paved the way with 23 points. The Panevezys outfit will finish third or fourth on the final standings of the Regular Season.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net