Zalgiris wins comfortably in Siauliai 13
Zalgiris Kaunas (14-2) won their fifth consecutive victory in the Betsafe-LKL Championship. Zalgiris defeated Siauliai (4-13) 87-73 (23-26, 29-13, 17-17, 18-17) on the road.
After the victory in Siauliai, Zalgiris returned to the first place in the Championship standings.
In a game where Zalgiris was without Keenan Evans and Edgaras Ulanovas, Arnas Butkevicius returned to the line-up in the starting five. In the first half, both teams exchanged free throws, and Siauliai was 6 points ahead after Eimantas Stankevicius’ free throws, 21-15. Zalgiris started to get better at stopping their opponents, and after the first quarter, the team coached by Andrea Trinchieri was only slightly behind, 23-26.
After points from Lukas Lekavicius, Laurynas Birutis and Danielius Lavrinovicius, Zalgiris jumped ahead in the second period, 31-28. Zalgiris continued to defend well and increased the gap to double digits after a basket by Birutis, 41-31. Tomas Dimsa and Butkevicius also contributed to the increase of the lead, and after two quarters Zalgiris controlled the situation, 52-39.
Siauliai stepped up their game after the halftime and started to reduce the deficit. In the middle of the quarter, after a layup by Paulius Danusevicius, Zalgiris’ lead was down to 6 points, 56-50. Dovydas Giedraitis and Kevarrius Hayes calmed down the situation (61-50), and after three quarters Zalgiris maintained a 13-point lead, 69-56.
Giedraitis and Birutis continued to score in the fourth quarter (77-63). Zalgiris maintained a safe lead and won the game, 87-73.
Birutis was the leading scorer for the guests with 19 points. Giedraitis added 13, and Hayes had 12 points from the bench.
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