LKL Round 17: #1 Zalgiris are defeated by Jonava

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Zalgiris (15-2) in Kaunas on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by sixth ranked Jonava (10-6) 80-76. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Zalgiris. Jonava made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Zalgiris turnovers. American point guard Glynn Watson Jr (185-1997, college: Nebraska) stepped up and scored 19 points for the winners and his fellow American import forward Jeff Garrett (201-1994, college: LSUS, agency: Players Group) chipped in 10 points and 5 rebounds. The former international Edgaras Ulanovas (199-1992) responded with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Zalgiris' coach Kazys Maksvytis tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Jonava moved-up to fifth place. Zalgiris at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. Jonava are looking forward to face league's second-placed Rytas in Vilnius in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Zalgiris will play on the road against Wolves in Vilnius and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Prienai has finally registered their first victory this season after 16 consecutive losses. The win is especially important as they defeated much higher ranked Lietkabelis (10-7) on the road game in Panevezys 86-74. American forward Jamil Wilson (201-1990, college: Marquette) nailed 20 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and Kyan Anderson accounted for 20 points. Forward Gediminas Orelik (199-1990) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds for Lietkabelis in the defeat. Lietkabelis' coach Nenad Canak let to play eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Prienai maintains twelfth place with 1-16 record. Lietkabelis at the other side dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. Prienai will play against higher ranked Nevezis (#9) in Kedainiai in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Lietkabelis will play at home against Siauliai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Klaipeda was also quite interesting. Second ranked Rytas (12-4) played at the court of 8th ranked Neptunas (7-9). Rytas defeated Neptunas 82-70 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Benedek Varadi who scored 22 points and 4 assists. Austin Wiley produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains second place with 12-4 record having four points less than leader Zalgiris. Loser Neptunas keeps the eighth position with nine games lost. Rytas will meet Jonava (#5) on the road in the next round. Neptunas will play against P.Zvaigzdes in Pasvalys and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 17: Nevezis was destroyed by Wolves on the opponent's court 94-73. Gargzdu managed to outperform P.Zvaigzdes in a home game 79-69. Juventus managed to beat Siauliai on the road 92-85.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 24 points and 5 rebounds by Zygimantas Skucas of Juventus.

Lietkabelis - Prienai 74-86

Prienai has finally registered their first victory this season after 16 consecutive losses. The win is especially important as they defeated much higher ranked Lietkabelis (10-7) on the road game in Panevezys 86-74. Prienai made 24-of-27 charity shots (88.9 percent) during the game, while Lietkabelis only scored six points from the stripe. Lietkabelis was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. American forward Jamil Wilson (201-1990, college: Marquette) nailed 20 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import point guard Kyan Anderson (180-1992, college: TCU) accounted for 20 points. Five Prienai players scored in double figures. Forward Gediminas Orelik (199-1990) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds and forward Vytenis Lipkevicius (195-1989) added 17 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Lietkabelis in the defeat. Lietkabelis' coach Nenad Canak let to play eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Prienai maintains twelfth place with 1-16 record. Lietkabelis at the other side dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. Prienai will play against higher ranked Nevezis (#9) in Kedainiai in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Lietkabelis will play at home against Siauliai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Lietkabelis: G.Orelik 20+10reb+3ast, V.Lipkevicius 17+7reb+1ast, S.Peno 11+5reb+3ast, K.Kullamaee 8+5reb+6ast, G.Goloman 6+2reb+1ast, M.Paulius 6+4reb
Prienai: J.Wilson 20+7reb+2ast, K.Anderson 20+1reb+3ast, J.Jogminas 13+8reb+2ast, R.Keliacius 11+2reb+1ast, D.Tarvydas 10+3reb+1ast, D.Domarkas 6+4reb+3ast

Neptunas - Rytas 70-82

The game in Klaipeda was also quite interesting. Second ranked Rytas (12-4) played at the court of 8th ranked Neptunas (7-9). Rytas defeated Neptunas 82-70 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Hungarian guard Benedek Varadi (194-1995) who scored 22 points and 4 assists. The former international center Martynas Echodas (206-1997) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. American center Austin Wiley (211-1999, college: Auburn) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) and swingman Matas Jogela (201-1998) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Four Neptunas players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains second place with 12-4 record having four points less than leader Zalgiris. Loser Neptunas keeps the eighth position with nine games lost. Rytas will meet Jonava (#5) on the road in the next round. Neptunas will play against P.Zvaigzdes in Pasvalys and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Neptunas: A.Wiley 19+14reb+1ast, D.Gailius 13+1reb+1ast, M.Jogela 12+6reb+3ast, Z.Janavicius 11+2ast, M.Girdziunas 9+3reb+1ast, N.Mineikis 6+1reb
Rytas: B.Varadi 22+2reb+4ast, M.Echodas 14+6reb+2ast, M.Normantas 11, J.Williams 10+8reb+2ast, G.Radzevicius 9+4reb+1ast, E.Kairys 7+5reb+1ast

Zalgiris - Jonava 76-80

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Zalgiris (15-2) in Kaunas on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by sixth ranked Jonava (10-6) 80-76. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Zalgiris. Jonava made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Zalgiris turnovers. American point guard Glynn Watson Jr (185-1997, college: Nebraska) stepped up and scored 19 points for the winners and his fellow American import forward Jeff Garrett (201-1994, college: LSUS, agency: Players Group) chipped in 10 points and 5 rebounds. The former international Edgaras Ulanovas (199-1992) responded with 14 points and 5 rebounds and Latvian Rolands Smits (207-1995) scored 16 points. Zalgiris' coach Kazys Maksvytis tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Jonava moved-up to fifth place. Zalgiris at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. Jonava are looking forward to face league's second-placed Rytas in Vilnius in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Zalgiris will play on the road against Wolves in Vilnius and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris: R.Smits 16+3reb, E.Ulanovas 14+5reb+1ast, L.Birutis 13+4reb, K.Hayes 11+1reb, I.Brazdeikis 8+2reb+5ast, L.Lekavicius 6+1reb+2ast
Jonava: G.Watson Jr. 19+2reb+3ast, D.Bickauskis 14, J.Garrett 10+5reb+1ast, E.Seskus 9+2reb+2ast, M.Laksa 9+2reb+1ast, V.Sulskis 7+2reb

Wolves - Nevezis 94-73

Very expected game in Vilnius where 9th ranked Nevezis (7-10) was crushed by third ranked Wolves (12-5) 94-73 on Sunday. Wolves forced 22 Nevezis turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was Swedish-American forward Jeffery Taylor (201-1989, college: Vanderbilt) who scored 21 points and 6 rebounds. The former international forward Eigirdas Zukauskas (204-1992) chipped in 22 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Latvian guard Arturs Zagars (190-2000) produced 14 points and 6 assists and American forward Deshawn Freeman (201-1994, college: Rutgers, agency: One Motive Sports) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Wolves have a solid series of three victories in a row. Newly promoted Wolves maintains third place with 12-5 record having just three points less than leader Zalgiris, which they share with Juventus. Loser Nevezis keeps the ninth position with ten games lost. Wolves will meet at home league's leader Zalgiris in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nevezis will play against Prienai (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nevezis: D.Freeman 15+5reb+1ast, A.Zagars 14+1reb+6ast, D.Lavrinovicius 10+2reb, M.Valinskas 8+2reb+7ast, D.Darryl 7+5reb+2ast, T.Lambrecht 6+2reb+1ast
Wolves: E.Zukauskas 22+3reb+3ast, J.Taylor 21+6reb+3ast, A.Caver 18+1reb+7ast, A.Juskevicius 8+1reb+3ast, K.Zemaitis 7+5ast, H.Kumpys 6+1reb

Gargzdu - P.Zvaigzdes 79-69

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Gargzdai where eleventh ranked Gargzdu (3-14) defeated 10th ranked P.Zvaigzdes (3-13) 79-69 on Monday. The best player for the winners was American point guard Josh Newkirk (185-1994, college: Indiana) who scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Giedrius Staniulis (206-1991) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. Four Gargzdu players scored in double figures. American guard Corey Allen (188-1998, college: Georgia St.) produced 13 points and 6 assists and center Martynas Pacevicius (204-1997, agency: Octagon Europe) added 8 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Newly promoted Gargzdu maintains eleventh place with 3-14 record. P.Zvaigzdes lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 13 games lost. Gargzdu will meet higher ranked Juventus (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. P.Zvaigzdes will play against Neptunas (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
P.Zvaigzdes: R.Kuksiks 14+2reb, C.Allen 13+3reb+6ast, J.Furmanavicius 8+5reb, M.Pacevicius 8+10reb+1ast, I.Vaitkus 7+4reb+2ast, J.Cunningham 7+2ast
Gargzdu: J.Newkirk 23+5reb+6ast, G.Staniulis 14+6reb, I.Osborne 12+1reb+2ast, J.Washington 10+5reb, S.Beniusis 8+3reb, J.Kazakauskas 4+8reb+3ast

Siauliai - Juventus 85-92

Not a big story in a game when 7th ranked Siauliai (8-9) was defeated at home by fourth ranked Juventus (12-5) 92-85 on Monday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Juventus made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American point guard Alex Hamilton (193-1993, college: Louisiana Tech) who scored 22 points and 6 assists. Zygimantas Skucas (202-1992, agency: BIG) chipped in 24 points and 5 rebounds. Swingman Martynas Varnas (196-1997) produced 27 points and power forward Arminas Urbutis (206-1986, college: Hofstra, agency: Octagon Europe) added 12 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Juventus moved-up to third place, which they share with Wolves. Loser Siauliai keeps the seventh position with nine games lost. Juventus will meet at home Gargzdu (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Siauliai will play against Lietkabelis (#6) in Panevezys and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Siauliai: M.Varnas 27+2reb+1ast, A.Urbutis 12+6reb+2ast, D.Paulius 10+5reb, A.Jackson 10+1reb+4ast, D.Sabeckis 9+4reb+6ast, J.Zohore 7+4reb+1ast
Juventus: Z.Skucas 24+5reb+2ast, A.Hamilton 22+3reb+6ast, B.Brown 13+3ast, M.Gecevicius 10+5reb, R.Lynch 8+13reb+2ast, A.Nikolic 7+5reb+2ast



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