Zalgiris becomes VTB United League regular season champion! 0

In Week 16 of the regular season, Zalgiris (Lithuania) defeated Nymburk (Czech Republic) on the road, 90-84. By doing it Zalgiris has claimed the title of VTB United League regular season champion!

Intro
Zalgiris came to the Czech Republic as Group B leaders, but Nymburk didn’t plan to roll over for the Lithuanian champions. The game began evenly, with the home team relying on 3-pointers and the Lithuanians looking to their big man in the paint, Darjus Lavrinovic. At the end of the first quarter, Joan Plaza’s team tried to go on a run and separate from their opponent. Ksistof Lavrinovic and Jeff Foote scored under the basket, Rimantas Kaukenas hit free throws and Marko Popovic knocked down a jumper. The visitors’ lead grew to nine points, 23-14.

The Czechs recovered quickly, however, and kept Zalgiris from doing any more damage. Led by Radoslav Rancik and Demond Carter, they continued to fire away efficiently from beyond the arc. Nymburk erased the deficit early in the second quarter. The game of cat and mouse continued through the third quarter. The visitors tried to pull away, but as soon as they got going, the home team would claw back via the three-point line.

Turning Point
The home team ultimately ran into foul trouble. At the end of the third period Pavel Houska earned his fourth foul and had to go to the bench, joining Rancik who was in the same predicament. The loss of two of their leaders had an effect on Nymburk. Zalgiris went on another run and the Czechs on the court couldn’t find an adequate response. 71-62 through three.

Though Zalgiris’s lead wavered between 3-8 points, Nymburk never got any closer. Neither the deafening support of the crowd nor their leaders’ return to the floor or aggressive play on both ends of the floor made a difference. Nymburk’s primary weapon, meanwhile, ran out of bullets. After Rancik hit a 3-pointer to make it a three-point game, 79-76, the Czechs’ next three possessions were unsuccessful. The Lithuanians took advantage, particularly Oliver Lafayette. Despite great spirit and effort, the home team could not make up their 10-point deficit in the final two and a half minutes. Zalgiris hold on for their 11th-straight win, while Nymburk are eliminated from postseason contention.

Star of the Game
Oliver Lafayette. The American took the initiative down the stretch, when the outcome of the game had yet to be decided. Three consecutive possessions in the final minutes were fatal for Nymburk. The point guard first hit a difficult contested 3-pointer, then twice drove to the basket for layups. The visitors’ 10-point lead was enough to close the game out comfortably.

Stat of the Game
24 Nymburk fouls and 27 Zalgiris free throws. The home team shot better from the field, committed fewer turnovers and dished out more assists. They only conceded the battle on the glass and had more fouls. That final category was probably the decisive factor in the Lithuanians’ success. 22 made free throws for the Lithuanians against eight for their opponent is easy proof.

Top Performers
Nymburk: Radoslav Rancik – 20 points; Demond Carter – 15 points; Pavel Houska – 12 points, five rebounds; Vojtech Hruban – 12 points; Jiri Welsch – 11 points, nine assists.

Zalgiris: Oliver Lafayette – 15 points; Mindaugas Kuzminskas – 10 points, nine rebounds; Ksistof Lavrinovic – 10 points, six rebounds; Darjus Lavrinovic – 10 points; Rimantas Kaukenas – 10 points; Marko Popovic – 10 points; Donald McGrath – 10 points.