Zalgiris never trails in first LKL final win 0

Zalgiris Kaunas opened the Lithuanian league finals with a 73-66 victory over rival Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius on Thursday at Zalgirio arena.

Zalgiris used a strong start to lead 20-9 after 7 minutes of play. James Anderson scored 12 points in the first quarter and the hosts defended well to build a 43-31 halftime lead.

Third quarter saw 5 minutes drought for the greens, but Robertas Javtokas under the basket and Arturas Milaknis from downtown maintained the lead at 55-44.

Lietuvos Rytas managed to come back with few minutes left in the fourth. However, crucial offensive rebounding by Zalgiris and a three by Milaknis secured the win for Kaunas team.

Milaknis scored 18 points, Anderson added 14 and Javtokas totaled 12 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks to pace the winners.

Ksistof Lavrinovic and Antanas Kavaliauskas scored 17 points apiece and Martynas Gecevicius dished 7 assists to lead Rytas.