LKL Round 5 (Regular Season): Neptunas beat Jonava by one after a very close game

There were just five rounds played in Regular Season of LKL and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 5 in the LKL took place in Jonava. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 4th placed Jonava (2-3) to fifth ranked Neptunas (3-3) 84-83 on Saturday evening. Neptunas made 31-of-36 free shots (86.1 percent) during the game, while Jonava only scored thirteen points from the stripe. Estonian forward Henri Drell (205-2000, agency: Octagon Europe) saved the victory by scoring 12 points and 8 rebounds. ex-international guard Mindaugas Girdziunas (188-1989) contributed with 17 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winners. American guard Nick Johnson (193-2001, college: Winthrop) answered with 22 points and 7 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for Jonava. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Neptunas moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Jonava at the other side dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. Neptunas is looking forward to face Siauliai (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Jonava will play against the league's leader Zalgiris (#1) in Kaunas and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Siauliai (3-3) against eighth ranked Rytas (2-1) on Saturday night. Host Siauliai was defeated by Rytas in a tough game in Siauliai 88-95. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Siauliai. American guard Michael Devoe (196-1999, college: Georgia Tech) stepped up and scored 18 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and Cassius Winston chipped in 17 points and 4 assists. Swiss guard Selim Fofana (193-1999) responded with 17 points and 7 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rytas moved-up to seventh place. Siauliai at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Rytas will play against higher ranked Juventus (#6) in Utena in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Siauliai will play on the road against Neptunas in Klaipeda and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Gargzdai (4-2) against eighth ranked Juventus (3-3) on Sunday night. Visiting Gargzdai was defeated by Juventus in Utena 100-90. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Gargzdai. Jack Pagenkopf nailed 19 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. Juventus' coach Laimonas Eglinskas used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Stanley Davis Jr came up with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for Gargzdai in the defeat. Juventus moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Gargzdai keeps the second position with two games lost. Juventus will meet at home Rytas (#7) in the next round. Gargzdai will play against Lietkabelis (#5) and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 5 Lietkabelis beat Nevezis on the road 73-72. Zalgiris destroyed Taurages on its own court 96-76.
The most impressive performance of 5th round was 21 points and 7 rebounds by Jonas Valanciunas of Zalgiris.



Siauliai - Rytas 88-95:
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Siauliai (3-3) against eighth ranked Rytas (2-1) on Saturday night. Host Siauliai was defeated by Rytas in a tough game in Siauliai 88-95. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Siauliai. Rytas made 19-of-23 charity shots (82.6 percent) during the game. American guard Michael Devoe (196-1999, college: Georgia Tech) stepped up and scored 18 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners and his fellow American import point guard Cassius Winston (185-1997, college: Michigan St.) chipped in 17 points and 4 assists. Swiss guard Selim Fofana (193-1999) responded with 17 points and 7 assists and center Martynas Pacevicius (206-1997) scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rytas moved-up to seventh place. Siauliai at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Rytas will play against higher ranked Juventus (#6) in Utena in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Siauliai will play on the road against Neptunas in Klaipeda and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rytas: D.Michael 18+5reb+3ast, W.Cassius 17+4reb+4ast, R.Gytis 14+4reb+1ast, G.Arturas 13+3reb+1ast, L.Ricardo 9+3reb+1ast, M.Gytis 8+5reb+2ast
Siauliai: S.Jarumbauskas 18+1reb, S.Fofana 17+4reb+7ast, M.Pacevicius 13+7reb, M.Caffey 12+5ast, T.Jogela 9+1reb+1ast, D.Romancenko 7+2reb+1ast

Jonava - Neptunas 83-84:
The most exciting game of round 5 in the LKL took place in Jonava. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 4th placed Jonava (2-3) to fifth ranked Neptunas (3-3) 84-83 on Saturday evening. Neptunas made 31-of-36 free shots (86.1 percent) during the game, while Jonava only scored thirteen points from the stripe. Estonian forward Henri Drell (205-2000, agency: Octagon Europe) saved the victory by scoring 12 points and 8 rebounds. ex-international guard Mindaugas Girdziunas (188-1989) contributed with 17 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winners. American guard Nick Johnson (193-2001, college: Winthrop) answered with 22 points and 7 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and the other American import guard Damoni Harrison (193-2002, college: Charlotte) added 15 points in the effort for Jonava. Four Jonava players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Neptunas moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Jonava at the other side dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. Neptunas is looking forward to face Siauliai (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Jonava will play against the league's leader Zalgiris (#1) in Kaunas and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Neptunas: G.Mindaugas 17+1reb+1ast, F.Elvar 15+2ast, D.Henri 12+8reb+2ast, E.Martynas 9+7reb+1ast, F.Yannick 7+4reb, Z.Kristupas 7+2reb+4ast
Jonava: N.Johnson 22+7reb+3ast, D.Harrison 15+4reb+1ast, M.Repsys 15+1ast, R.Mesidor 13+3reb+3ast, C.Brown Jr 7+4reb+1ast, M.Arlauskas 4+2reb

Nevezis - Lietkabelis 72-73:
No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Lietkabelis (3-3) edged bottom-ranked Nevezis (0-5) in Kedainiai 73-72 on Saturday. Swiss-American guard Alex Schumacher (190-2001, college: Seattle) nailed 9 points and 6 assists for the winning side and international power forward Gabrielius Maldunas (204-1993, college: Dartmouth) accounted for 9 points and 4 assists. American guard Dylan Andrews (190-2002, college: Boise St.) came up with 24 points and 4 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and power forward Paulius Petrilevicius (204-1991) added 11 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Nevezis in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Lietkabelis moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Nevezis still closes the standings with five games lost. Lietkabelis will meet league's second-placed Gargzdai on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nevezis will play against Taurages (#9) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Lietkabelis: N.Gytis 13+2reb, K.Keondre 11+5reb, S.Alex 9+3reb+6ast, M.Gabrielius 9+4reb+4ast, F.Ivan 8+1reb, R.Nojus 7+2reb+2ast
Nevezis: A.Dylan 24+2reb+4ast, P.Petrilevicius 11+8reb+2ast, J.Wiley 8+7reb+2ast, A.Gray 8+3reb, F.Boardman-Raffett 8+5reb+3ast, X.Rice 6+2ast

Juventus - Gargzdai 100-90:
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Gargzdai (4-2) against eighth ranked Juventus (3-3) on Sunday night. Visiting Gargzdai was defeated by Juventus in Utena 100-90. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Gargzdai. Juventus made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Gargzdai 40-29 including 28 on the defensive glass. Juventus looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American point guard Jack Pagenkopf (191-1997, college: Utah Tech) nailed 19 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and international Laurynas Beliauskas (194-1997) accounted for 14 points and 6 rebounds. Juventus' coach Laimonas Eglinskas used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American-Syrian guard Stanley Davis Jr (196-1998, college: Morgan St.) came up with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and American point guard Jaquan Carlos (183-2002, college: Syracuse) added 15 points and 9 assists respectively for Gargzdai in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Juventus moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Gargzdai keeps the second position with two games lost. Juventus will meet at home Rytas (#7) in the next round. Gargzdai will play against Lietkabelis (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Juventus: P.Jack 19+5reb+3ast, B.Sarunas 17+6reb, H.Chase 16+2reb+2ast, N.Emmanuel 14+7reb, B.Laurynas 14+6reb+3ast, G.Matulis 7+3reb+3ast
Gargzdai: S.Davis Jr. 21+5reb+6ast, E.Saulys 19+1reb+1ast, J.Carlos 15+4reb+9ast, B.Krikke 13+8reb, L.Wilson 11+4reb, G.Shephard 5+2reb

Zalgiris - Taurages 96-76:
Very expected game when 9th ranked Taurages (1-4) was smashed by leader Zalgiris (6-0) in Kaunas 96-76 on Sunday. Zalgiris made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Taurages turnovers. Zalgiris looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The former international center Jonas Valanciunas (211-1992) nailed 21 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and American forward Sterling Brown (196-1995, college: SMU) accounted for 17 points. American guard Donovan Jackson (188-1996, college: Iowa St.) came up with 15 points and 5 assists and the other American import guard James Blackmon Jr (193-1995, college: Indiana) added 15 points respectively for Taurages in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Zalgiris have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 6-0 record. Taurages lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth position with four games lost. Zalgiris will meet at home Jonava (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Taurages will play against Nevezis and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris: V.Jonas 21+7reb+2ast, B.Sterling 17+1ast, U.Edgaras 11+3reb+1ast, S.Deividas 9+3reb+3ast, T.Azuolas 8+2reb, L.Maodo 6+5reb+2ast
Taurages: D.Jackson 15+2reb+5ast, J.Blackmon Jr. 15+2reb+2ast, B.Griciunas 11+4reb+2ast, V.Kariniauskas 9+1reb+4ast, V.Kozys 8+3reb, N.Mineikis 6+2reb