LKL Round 22: Rytas defeat Zalgiris

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Zalgiris (18-4) in Kaunas on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Rytas (16-5) 100-94. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Zalgiris. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Rytas made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 63.0 percentage. Rytas looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Zalgiris helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Margiris Normantas (194-1996) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 4 assists (perfect from downtown making all six shots !!!). American guard Marcus Foster (191-1995, college: Creighton) contributed with 28 points for the winners. The former international point guard Lukas Lekavicius (180-1994) replied with 21 points for Zalgiris. Zalgiris' coach Kazys Maksvytis rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains second position with 16-5 record having just three points less than leader Zalgiris. Zalgiris at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost. Rytas are looking forward to face P.Zvaigzdes (#10) in Pasvalys in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zalgiris will play on the road against Neptunas (#7) in Klaipeda and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Wolves (15-7) against sixth ranked Jonava (13-9) on Monday night. Host Wolves was defeated by Jonava in a tough game in Vilnius 94-99. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Wolves. American point guard Glynn Watson Jr (185-1997, college: Nebraska) scored 32 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Goran Huskic chipped in 20 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American guard Ahmad Caver (188-1996, college: ODU) responded with 35 points (!!!) and 4 assists. Wolves' coach Rimas Kurtinaitis tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Jonava maintains sixth position with 13-9 record. Newly promoted Wolves keeps the third place with seven games lost. Jonava will play against Siauliai (#9) on the road in the next round. Wolves will play against Gargzdu (#11) in Gargzdai and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Panevezys supposed to be also quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Juventus (14-8) played at the court of fifth ranked Lietkabelis (14-8). Lietkabelis did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 91-71 on Sunday. Kristian Kullamaee notched 21 points and 5 assists to lead the effort. Even 24 points by Alex Hamilton did not help to save the game for Juventus. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Lietkabelis have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Juventus. Lietkabelis will meet Nevezis (#8) in the next round. Juventus will play against Prienai (#12) and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 22 were not that significant. P.Zvaigzdes beat Prienai on the road 92-89. Gargzdu was destroyed by Neptunas on its own court 54-73. Nevezis managed to outperform Siauliai in Kedainiai 107-95.

Prienai - P.Zvaigzdes 89-92

No shocking result in a game when tenth ranked P.Zvaigzdes (5-16) edged on the road bottom-ranked Prienai (2-20) 92-89 on Saturday. P.Zvaigzdes made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. American guard Jared Cunningham (194-1991, college: Oregon St., agency: BeoBasket) notched 23 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and Ignas Vaitkus (197-1993) supported him with 19 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Even 12 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists by forward Tauras Jogela (202-1993, agency: 011 Sports) did not help to save the game for Prienai. American point guard Kyan Anderson (180-1992, college: TCU) added 21 points for lost side. Five Prienai players scored in double figures. P.Zvaigzdes maintains tenth position with 5-16 record. Loser Prienai stay dead last with 20 lost games. P.Zvaigzdes will meet at home league's second-placed Rytas in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Prienai will play against Juventus (#5) in Utena and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Prienai: K.Anderson 21+2reb+3ast, J.Williams 14+7reb+1ast, T.Jogela 12+9reb+7ast, D.Domarkas 10+1reb+1ast, R.Keliacius 10+2reb, K.Giedraitis 9+1reb
P.Zvaigzdes: J.Cunningham 23+4reb+4ast, I.Vaitkus 19+3reb, C.Allen 10+5reb+3ast, J.Gillon 9+3reb+2ast, E.Saulys 8+3reb, R.Kuksiks 8+1reb

Lietkabelis - Juventus 91-71

The game in Panevezys supposed to be also quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Juventus (14-8) played at the court of fifth ranked Lietkabelis (14-8). Lietkabelis did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 91-71 on Sunday. Lietkabelis made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Lietkabelis outrebounded Juventus 40-25 including 16 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Estonian point guard Kristian Kullamaee (194-1999) notched 21 points and 5 assists to lead the effort and Bosnian-Serbian Nikola Popovic (211-1997, college: Boston Coll.) supported him with 12 points and 5 rebounds. Even 24 points by American point guard Alex Hamilton (193-1993, college: Louisiana Tech) did not help to save the game for Juventus. Zygimantas Skucas (202-1992, agency: BIG) added 9 points for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Lietkabelis have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Juventus. Lietkabelis will meet Nevezis (#8) in the next round. Juventus will play against Prienai (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Juventus: A.Hamilton 24+1reb+2ast, J.Alston 12+3reb, Z.Skucas 9+3reb+3ast, D.Romancenko 7+5reb, R.Lynch 6+2reb, G.Matulis 5+1reb+3ast
Lietkabelis: K.Kullamaee 21+3reb+5ast, N.Popovic 12+5reb+3ast, R.Mantas 11+1reb+3ast, M.Paulius 9+6reb, G.Maldunas 9+6reb, G.Orelik 9+7reb+3ast

Wolves - Jonava 94-99

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Wolves (15-7) against sixth ranked Jonava (13-9) on Monday night. Host Wolves was defeated by Jonava in a tough game in Vilnius 94-99. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Wolves. Jonava made 21-of-27 charity shots (77.8 percent) during the game. Wolves was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. American point guard Glynn Watson Jr (185-1997, college: Nebraska) scored 32 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Serbian center Goran Huskic (210-1992, college: Howard Col., TX) chipped in 20 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Five Jonava players scored in double figures. At the losing side American guard Ahmad Caver (188-1996, college: ODU) responded with 35 points (!!!) and 4 assists and Swedish-American forward Jeffery Taylor (201-1989, college: Vanderbilt) scored 22 points. Wolves' coach Rimas Kurtinaitis tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Jonava maintains sixth position with 13-9 record. Newly promoted Wolves keeps the third place with seven games lost. Jonava will play against Siauliai (#9) on the road in the next round. Wolves will play against Gargzdu (#11) in Gargzdai and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Wolves: A.Caver 35+4reb+4ast, J.Taylor 22+4reb+1ast, E.Zukauskas 16+5reb+1ast, E.Buckner 8+6reb+1ast, K.Zemaitis 6+3reb+4ast, A.Juskevicius 3+3reb+6ast
Jonava: G.Watson Jr. 32+6reb+6ast, G.Huskic 20+6reb+1ast, D.Bickauskis 19+3reb+4ast, E.Seskus 11+6reb+2ast, J.Garrett 10+8reb+2ast, A.Valeika 5+3reb

Gargzdu - Neptunas 54-73

Rather expected game when 11th ranked Gargzdu (4-18) was smashed by eighth ranked Neptunas (10-12) in Gargzdai 73-54 on Monday. Neptunas dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Gargzdu's 20. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American center Austin Wiley (211-1999, college: Auburn) notched a double-double by scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and the former international guard Zygimantas Janavicius (193-1989, agency: Interperformances) supported him with 10 points and 11 assists. Neptunas' coach Mindaugas Brazys used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 22 points and 8 rebounds by Canadian guard Isiah Osborne (196-1996, college: Carleton) did not help to save the game for Gargzdu. American point guard Josh Newkirk (185-1994, college: Indiana) added 7 points and 5 assists for lost side. Neptunas moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Siauliai and Nevezis. Newly promoted Gargzdu keeps the eleventh position with 18 games lost. Neptunas will meet at home league's leader Zalgiris in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Gargzdu will play against Wolves (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gargzdu: I.Osborne 22+8reb+2ast, R.Purvis 9+2reb+2ast, J.Newkirk 7+3reb+5ast, J.Washington 5+9reb+1ast, S.Beniusis 4+9reb+1ast, M.Runkauskas 3+1reb+1ast
Neptunas: A.Wiley 16+12reb, M.Jogela 13+4reb+1ast, Z.Janavicius 10+3reb+11ast, P.Oskaras 9+4reb+1ast, D.Gailius 7+6reb+3ast, R.Malmanis 6+3reb

Siauliai - Nevezis 95-107

There was a small surprise when ninth ranked Nevezis (10-12) won against on the road 7th ranked Siauliai (10-12) 107-95 on Monday. Nevezis looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Guard Marius Valinskas (187-1999) notched a double-double by scoring 17 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort and Belgian Tim Lambrecht (207-1998) supported him with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Five Nevezis players scored in double figures. Even 18 points and 7 rebounds by Paulius Danusevicius (205-2001) did not help to save the game for Siauliai. American guard Kyle Mangas (193-1999, college: IWU) added 18 points and 4 assists for lost side. Siauliai's coach Antanas Sireika let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Nevezis moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Neptunas and Siauliai. Siauliai lost third consecutive game. Nevezis will meet at home higher ranked Lietkabelis (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Siauliai will play against Jonava and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Siauliai: K.Mangas 18+2reb+4ast, D.Paulius 18+7reb+1ast, E.Stankevicius 16+3reb, B.Daniel 9+1reb, J.Zohore 8+5reb, A.Urbutis 8+4reb+3ast
Nevezis: D.Darryl 18+3reb+2ast, D.Freeman 18+7reb+1ast, M.Valinskas 17+5reb+10ast, B.Davison 16+3reb+2ast, T.Lambrecht 15+10reb+3ast, D.Lavrinovicius 13+2reb+1ast

Zalgiris - Rytas 94-100

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Zalgiris (18-4) in Kaunas on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Rytas (16-5) 100-94. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Zalgiris. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Rytas made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 63.0 percentage. Rytas looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Zalgiris helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Margiris Normantas (194-1996) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 4 assists (perfect from downtown making all six shots !!!). American guard Marcus Foster (191-1995, college: Creighton) contributed with 28 points for the winners. Four Rytas players scored in double figures. The former international point guard Lukas Lekavicius (180-1994) replied with 21 points and Latvian Rolands Smits (207-1995) added 15 points in the effort for Zalgiris. Zalgiris' coach Kazys Maksvytis rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains second position with 16-5 record having just three points less than leader Zalgiris. Zalgiris at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost. Rytas are looking forward to face P.Zvaigzdes (#10) in Pasvalys in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zalgiris will play on the road against Neptunas (#7) in Klaipeda and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris: L.Lekavicius 21+1reb+2ast, R.Smits 15+3reb+1ast, I.Taylor 11+2reb+3ast, A.Butkevicius 9+3reb+3ast, A.Polonara 8+9reb+2ast, E.Ulanovas 8+4reb+6ast
Rytas: M.Normantas 30+2reb+4ast, M.Foster 28+3reb+3ast, M.Echodas 10+4reb+1ast, B.Varadi 10+2reb+5ast, E.Fridriksson 8+2reb+3ast, L.Uleckas 7+2reb+2ast



Tags : MARGIRIS NORMANTAS, BC RYTAS VILNIUS, LITHUANIAN BASKETBALL