LKL: Zalgiris beats Lietuvos rytas in Vilnius 0

In a game between two biggest Lithuanian rivals, the first of probably many games between two clubs this season, Zalgiris Kaunas held off previously unbeaten Lietuvos Rytas 84-82 on the road on Sunday.

There was a dramatic ending to a game that saw seven lead changes in the first half, before Antanas Kavaliauskas scored 7 points to spark a 16-4 Rytas run, capped by Martynas Gecevicius triple for 35-27.

It was 35-31 at halftime, and Rytas held a 53-41 advantage with help from back-to-back three-pointers from Gediminas Orelik midway through the third quarter.

However, Lukas Lekavicius sparked a Zalgiris rally, James Anderson had fantastic display in defense and big man Arturas Gudaitis scored 5 points to finish the third quarter and bring the visitors within 55-54.

Three consecutive three-pointers from Arturas Milaknis got Zalgiris to 59-67 after 3 minutes of the fourth quarter, and the reigning Lithuanian champs never relinquished the lead with the help of Edgaras Ulanovas and Paulius Jankunas. But, Rytas did come close at the end. Orelik and Gecevicius hit triples in the final minute to get Rytas to within 79-82. After a pair of free throws from Jankunas, Orelik hit another one from downtown for 82-84 with 4 seconds to go. On the inbound pass under the visitors’ basket, Orelik managed to steal the ball and quickly throw a baseline floater, hoping to force overtime, but the ball rimmed out as time expired, and Zalgiris held on to victory.

Jankunas finished with 17 points, Milaknis netted 12 on 4-for-7 three-point shooting, while Lekavicius contributed with 10 in victory.

For Rytas, Kavaliauskas had 23 points plus 6 boards, Orelik hit 6-for-7 behind the arc for 18 points, and Adas Juskevicius added 15 in defeat.

Both teams now hold 6-1 records in the Lithuanian League, with Neptunas Klaiped the lone undefeated team in the standings at 6-0.