By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Retaining a one-game lead on top of Lithuania’s Betsafe LKL standings, Zalgiris prevailed, 88-82, over M Basket-Delamode in Telsiai on Sunday.
Lonnie Walker IV produced 14 out of his 21 points after the break, pushing the Kaunas outfit to 14-2 in the Regular Season. The 26-year-old winger connected 7/15 from the field. Sylvain Francisco threw in 15 points. In more double-digit scoring contributions, Brady Manek finished with 11 points and Ignas Brazdeikis went for ten points. Matt Mitchell paired his nine points with eight rebounds.
The team coached by 56-year-old Italian tactician Andrea Trinchieri finished the third period with a 17-3 run to create a separation by a margin of five points but trailed once more midway through the fourth quarter before nearing a double-digit advantage with ten unanswered points. Holding on in crunch time preserved a one-game cushion over defending champion Rytas.
Before guard Dovydas Giedraitis suffered an injury in the first half and did not return, Tomas Dimsa (shoulder), Bryant Dunston (leg), and Alen Smailagic (knee) were ruled out for the domestic affair.
For the hosts, Nojus Mineikis produced a new personal best for the 2024-25 season with 17 points and Chauncey Collins followed with 16 points. The team coached by Marius Kiltinavicius fell to a league-low 3-13.
On Saturday, Rytas edged out CBet, 84-80, and jumped to 13-3. Elsewhere, third-placed Wolves Twinsbet lost at home, 97-82, to 7bet-Lietkabelis.
STANDINGS: Zalgiris 14-2, Rytas 13-3, Wolves Twinsbet 11-4, 7bet-Lietkabelis 8-8, Uniclub-Juventus 8-8…
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net