Real Madrid brings first loss of the pre-season for Zalgiris 4
Zalgiris Kaunas received the first loss of the pre-season, as they lost to Real Madrid 81-89 in the final game of the Costa del Sol Tournament.
The clash began with both teams trying to edge ahead in the scoring. In the opening minutes, Madrid opened up a six-point lead as they dominated the rebounding and transitioned quickly into attack to overcome the Zalgiris defense (7-13). The Lithuanians soon fought back, with Tomas Dimsa and clinical finishing from the three-point line (5) to send the sides in at 26-20 after the first quarter.
Zalgiris extended the lead to 28-20, but Dzanan Musa and Sergio Rodriguez quickly brought the Spanish champions in front (30-32). Three-pointers from Dimsa, Karolis Lukosiunas and Rolands Smits kept the score tied 43-43 at halftime.
The madridistas upped the pace after the re-start. They prevented Zalgiris from scoring for almost five minutes, as Madrid increased their lead during the third quarter courtesy of a 18-3 scoring run to leave the score at 46-61 in the 34th minute of play. The Greens were keeping themselves in the game for their outside shooting, as 5 three-pointers were made with Dimsa adding 2+1 action. It was 61-71 after periods.
Veteran Mantas Kalnietis added two more three-pointers in the start of the fourth quarter (70-82). Then it was Keenan Evans and Rolands Smits time to score, but Real Madrid kept themselves in front and won the game 81-89.
Dimsa was the leading scorer for Zalgiris with 17 points. Evans added 16 and Smits had 11 points and 9 rebounds.
Walter Tavares and Musa made 19 each for Madrid, as Sergio Rodriguez fed them with 11 assists and 16 points.
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