LKL Round 13 (Regular Season): Juventus defeat Wolves

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Wolves (11-2) in Utena on Saturday night. Visitors were rolled over by fifth ranked Juventus (8-5) 96-68. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Wolves. Juventus dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Wolves' 26. Juventus looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. 30 personal fouls committed by Wolves helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Scoochie Smith (191-1994, college: Dayton) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 assists and 6 steals. Croatian center Ivan Vranes (207-1996) contributed with 20 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. International guard Kristupas Zemaitis (192-1996) answered with 9 points and 5 assists for Wolves. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Juventus maintains fifth place with 8-5 record. Wolves at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with Zalgiris and Rytas. Juventus are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Siauliai (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Wolves will play against the league's second-placed Zalgiris (#2) in Kaunas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Siauliai managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of ten consecutive losses. This time they won against tenth-ranked Gargzdu in Gargzdai 94-89. American guard LJ Thorpe (196-1999, college: UNC Asheville, agency: Worldwide SM) stepped up and scored 18 points and 9 assists for the winners and Paulius Danusevicius chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds. Siauliai's coach Nikolajs Mazurs allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side American guard Jaylon Scott (196-2000, college: Charleston) responded with a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Siauliai (2-11) moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Nevezis. Gargzdu lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the tenth position with ten games lost. Siauliai will play against higher ranked Juventus (#5) in Utena in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Gargzdu will play on the road against Rytas (#3) having rather not much hope for a victory.
The game in Pasvalys supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Rytas (11-2) played at the court of 8th ranked P.Zvaigzdes (4-9). Rytas smashed P.Zvaigzdes 101-77 on Saturday. Arnas Velicka nailed 12 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side. Simas Jarumbauskas came up with 14 points and 9 rebounds for P.Zvaigzdes in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rytas keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Zalgiris and Wolves. Loser P.Zvaigzdes dropped to the ninth place with nine games lost. Rytas will meet at home Gargzdu (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. P.Zvaigzdes will play against Jonava and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 13 Jonava was beaten by Neptunas on the road 69-64. Zalgiris won against Nevezis on its own court 102-98.



P.Zvaigzdes - Rytas 77-101

The game in Pasvalys supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Rytas (11-2) played at the court of 8th ranked P.Zvaigzdes (4-9). Rytas smashed P.Zvaigzdes 101-77 on Saturday. Rytas forced 24 P.Zvaigzdes turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international point guard Arnas Velicka (195-1999) nailed 12 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side and the former international Margiris Normantas (194-1996) accounted for 14 points and 6 assists. Simas Jarumbauskas (198-2000, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with 14 points and 9 rebounds and guard Martynas Arlauskas (201-2000, college: Gonzaga) added 16 points respectively for P.Zvaigzdes in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rytas keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Zalgiris and Wolves. Loser P.Zvaigzdes dropped to the ninth place with nine games lost. Rytas will meet at home Gargzdu (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. P.Zvaigzdes will play against Jonava and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rytas: G.Radzevicius 15+4reb+2ast, M.Normantas 14+4reb+6ast, L.Uleckas 14+4reb+1ast, G.Masiulis 13+4reb+1ast, A.Velicka 12+5reb+7ast, K.Hornsby 11+2reb
P.Zvaigzdes: M.Arlauskas 16+4reb+1ast, S.Jarumbauskas 14+9reb+1ast, K.Jack 12+8reb, J.Watson 11+2reb+4ast, J.Baker 11+3reb, B.Tabb 6+1reb+2ast

Juventus - Wolves 96-68

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Wolves (11-2) in Utena on Saturday night. Visitors were rolled over by fifth ranked Juventus (8-5) 96-68. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Wolves. Juventus dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Wolves' 26. Juventus looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. 30 personal fouls committed by Wolves helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Scoochie Smith (191-1994, college: Dayton) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 assists and 6 steals. Croatian center Ivan Vranes (207-1996) contributed with 20 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Five Juventus players scored in double figures. International guard Kristupas Zemaitis (192-1996) answered with 9 points and 5 assists and the former international power forward Regimantas Miniotas (208-1996) added 9 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Wolves. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Juventus maintains fifth place with 8-5 record. Wolves at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with Zalgiris and Rytas. Juventus are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Siauliai (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Wolves will play against the league's second-placed Zalgiris (#2) in Kaunas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Juventus: I.Vranes 20+7reb, B.Ivey 16+3reb+4ast, S.Beniusis 14+3reb+1ast, S.Smith 12+3reb+12ast, M.Valinskas 10+2reb+3ast, Z.Skucas 8+4reb+2ast
Wolves: T.Thurman 10+3reb+3ast, C.Mekowulu 10+5reb, A.Juskevicius 9+2reb, R.Miniotas 9+6reb+2ast, K.Zemaitis 9+4reb+5ast, A.Berucka 6+1reb+1ast

Neptunas - Jonava 69-64

Everything could happen in Klaipeda at the game between two tied teams. Both seventh ranked Neptunas and 6th ranked Jonava had identical 6-6 record. This time Neptunas used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Jonava 69-64 on Sunday night. Forward Azuolas Tubelis (211-2002, college: Arizona) nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points and 15 rebounds for the winning side and American guard Sterling Gibbs (188-1993, college: UConn) accounted for 12 points and 5 assists. Neptunas' coach Mindaugas Brazys used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American center Michael Hughes (203-1998, college: Duquesne) came up with 11 points and 9 rebounds and forward Tauras Jogela (203-1993) added 10 points respectively for Jonava in the defeat. Four Jonava players scored in double figures. Neptunas have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place. Loser Jonava dropped to the seventh position with seven games lost. Neptunas will meet Mazeikiai (#8) on the road in the next round. Jonava will play against P.Zvaigzdes and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Neptunas: A.Tubelis 23+15reb+1ast, S.Gibbs 12+1reb+5ast, I.Sargiunas 7+1reb+1ast, T.Rutherford 6+6reb+2ast, M.Girdziunas 6+1ast, Z.Janavicius 6+1ast
Jonava: S.Micovic 12+3reb, M.Hughes 11+9reb, A.Marelja 11+5reb, T.Jogela 10+3reb+3ast, E.Seskus 7+3reb+4ast, I.Gandia-Rosa 6+3reb+7ast

Zalgiris - Nevezis 102-98

Very expected game when 11th ranked Nevezis (2-11) lost to third ranked Zalgiris (11-2) in Kaunas 98-102 on Sunday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Zalgiris made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The former international center Laurynas Birutis (213-1997) nailed 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and Latvian Rolands Smits (208-1995) accounted for 17 points (made all of his seven free throws). Zalgiris' coach Kazys Maksvytis used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Zane Waterman (203-1995, college: Manhattan) came up with 31 points (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field) and the other American import guard Sean McNeil (193-1998, college: Ohio St.) added 29 points respectively for Nevezis in the defeat. Five Zalgiris and four Nevezis players scored in double figures. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Rytas and Wolves. Loser Nevezis keeps the eleventh place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Siauliai. Zalgiris will meet at home league's leader Wolves in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nevezis will play against Lietkabelis (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris: R.Smits 17+3reb+3ast, T.Dimsa 16+5reb, D.Giedraitis 14+1reb+1ast, K.Evans 14+5ast, E.Sumner 11+1reb+4ast, L.Birutis 10+7reb+6ast
Nevezis: Z.Waterman 31+4reb+3ast, S.McNeil 29+1reb+2ast, C.Jurgens 20+7ast, C.Ramey 11+3reb+4ast, F.Okoro 4+11reb, R.Keliacius 2+2reb

Gargzdu - Siauliai 89-94

Bottom-ranked Siauliai managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of ten consecutive losses. This time they won against tenth-ranked Gargzdu in Gargzdai 94-89. Siauliai players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. American guard LJ Thorpe (196-1999, college: UNC Asheville, agency: Worldwide SM) stepped up and scored 18 points and 9 assists for the winners and Paulius Danusevicius (205-2001) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds. Siauliai's coach Nikolajs Mazurs allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side American guard Jaylon Scott (196-2000, college: Charleston) responded with a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and the other American import power forward Nick Ward (205-1997, college: Michigan St.) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Siauliai (2-11) moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Nevezis. Gargzdu lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the tenth position with ten games lost. Siauliai will play against higher ranked Juventus (#5) in Utena in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Gargzdu will play on the road against Rytas (#3) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Siauliai: L.Thorpe 18+2reb+9ast, B.Vander Plas 15+6reb+3ast, D.Paulius 14+8reb+3ast, N.Mineikis 12+4reb+2ast, K.Anderson 9+2reb+1ast, E.Stankevicius 7+4reb
Gargzdu: N.Ward 27+10reb+1ast, J.Scott 19+11reb+10ast, I.Gavrilovic 18+3reb+3ast, R.Larson 14+1reb+9ast, A.Urkis 5+1reb+1ast, T.Kararinas 4+1reb