By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Starting the new Betsafe LKL Regular Season, defending champion Zalgiris made short work of Gargzdai en route to the 107-55 victory in Svyturio Arena Sunday.
Brady Manek dominated the second half and finished with a game-high 23 points in his debut as a player of the Kaunas outfit. The 25-year-old forward sank seven of his nine attempts from beyond the arc, highlighting the team total of 15/28.
Arnas Butkevicius had 14 points. Team captain Edgaras Ulanovas made 5/8 field goals to follow with 13 points in the season opener. Laurynas Birutis chipped in four points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
In his first official action since early January, recovering from a torn Achilles, Keenan Evans registered ten points with 4/8 from the field. The former Texas Tech standout also dished out four assists lasting just over 16 minutes.
On a quick turnaround from participating in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Ignas Brazdeikis, Tomas Dimsa, and Rolands Smits all missed the first game of the 2023-24 season at the club level.
The team coached by Kazys Maksvytis is set for additional preparation games next weekend in Cyprus and will follow up with two more domestic contests before Round 1 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. Visiting Virtus Segafredo Bologna will open the continental campaign on October 5.
Launching the 2023-24 Regular Season of Lithuania’s top-tier division on Saturday, Neptunas beat 7bet-Lietkabelis, 91-81, with Sterling Gibbs dropping 26 points. Protecting home court as well, CBet topped Nevezis-Optibet, 94-77.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net