By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Despite losing Keenan Evans in the decisive do-or-die game in the LKL Semi-Finals, Zalgiris Kaunas began the Finals with a difficult victory against Rytas Vilnius, winning 89-88 in overtime.
Coming out of the Zalgirio Arena with a victory, the team from the Lithuanian capital was led by Gytis Radzevičius, who had 19 points and 5 rebounds; Justin Gorham and Robert Cole followed by scoring 15 points each, with the first grabbing 9 boards as well.
The returning Marcus Foster, who came back to Rytas Vilnius midway through the season, had 12 points. Martynas Echodas added the same number, while also performing a double-double with 12 rebounds.
Coming off the bench, Lukas Lekavicius led the team in scoring by leading in the backcourt, ending with 21 points and 4 assists over 3/6 from beyond the arc. Laurynas Birutis went close to a double-double despite the loss, getting 14 points and 7 rebounds. Dovydas Giedraitis had 16 points but lost the ball to win it.
LKL Finals
Zalgiris Kaunas – Rytas Vilnius, G1: 88-89
Rytas Vilnius – Zalgiris Kaunas, G2 (07/06 at 18:30 CET)
Zalgiris Kaunas – Rytas Vilnius, G3 (10/06 at 18:30 CET)
Rytas Vilnius – Zalgiris Kaunas, G4* (12/06 at 18:30 CET)
Zalgiris Kaunas – Rytas Vilnius, G5* (14/06 at 18:30 CET)
*if needed
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League