LKL Round 21 (Regular Season): Rytas keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Rytas as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rytas defeated 4th placed Juventus in Vilnius 93-88. Rytas looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 29 personal fouls committed by Juventus helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was swingman Lukas Uleckas (199-1999) who scored 21 points and 5 assists. International Gytis Radzevicius (197-1995) chipped in 16 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Scoochie Smith (191-1994, college: Dayton) who recorded 21 points, 9 assists and 4 steals. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Rytas (18-2) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Juventus lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with eight games lost. Juventus will play next round against P.Zvaigzdes trying to get back on the winning streak. Rytas will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Zalgiris in Kaunas.
Important game to mention about took place in Panevezys. Seventh ranked Neptunas (9-12) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Lietkabelis (11-7) 78-76 on Monday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Lietkabelis. It was a good game for the former international forward Azuolas Tubelis (211-2002, college: Arizona) who led his team to a victory with 21 points. Ignas Sargiunas contributed with 10 points and 5 assists for the winners. Forward Gediminas Orelik (200-1990) answered with 29 points and 5 assists for Lietkabelis. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Neptunas maintains seventh place with 9-12 record. Lietkabelis at the other side keeps the fifth position with seven games lost. Neptunas will play against Siauliai (#9) at home in the next round. Lietkabelis will play against Jonava (#8) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Mazeikiai was also quite interesting. Third ranked Wolves (15-6) played at the court of 6th ranked Mazeikiai (9-11). Wolves defeated Mazeikiai 84-73 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Mazeikiai. Jeffery Taylor stepped up and scored 18 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Wolves' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Chauncey Collins with 17 points. Wolves maintains third place with 15-6 record having just two points less than leader Rytas. Newly promoted Mazeikiai keeps the sixth position with 11 games lost. Wolves will meet bottom-ranked Gargzdu (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Mazeikiai will play against Nevezis (#10) in Kedainiai and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 21 Jonava was defeated by Siauliai in a road game 89-86. P.Zvaigzdes was beaten by Nevezis at home 91-101.



Mazeikiai - Wolves 73-84

The game in Mazeikiai was also quite interesting. Third ranked Wolves (15-6) played at the court of 6th ranked Mazeikiai (9-11). Wolves defeated Mazeikiai 84-73 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Mazeikiai. They outrebounded Mazeikiai 41-28 including 27 on the defensive glass. Swedish-American forward Jeffery Taylor (201-1989, college: Vanderbilt) stepped up and scored 18 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and the former international power forward Regimantas Miniotas (208-1996) chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds. Wolves' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was American point guard Chauncey Collins (185-1995, college: TCU) with 17 points and Martynas Paliukenas (191-1993) scored 7 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Wolves maintains third place with 15-6 record having just two points less than leader Rytas. Newly promoted Mazeikiai keeps the sixth position with 11 games lost. Wolves will meet bottom-ranked Gargzdu (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Mazeikiai will play against Nevezis (#10) in Kedainiai and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Mazeikiai: C.Collins 17+1reb+2ast, K.Bruhnke 12+2reb, A.Antetokounmpo 12+2reb, M.Gecevicius 10+1reb+2ast, D.Dolenc 7+2reb+1ast, M.Paliukenas 7+8reb+4ast
Wolves: J.Taylor 18+6reb+3ast, R.Sulaimon 14+4reb+2ast, R.Miniotas 13+10reb+1ast, A.Berucka 12+2reb+1ast, C.Mekowulu 7+8reb+1ast, T.Thurman 7+2reb+1ast

Rytas - Juventus 93-88

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Rytas as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rytas defeated 4th placed Juventus in Vilnius 93-88. Rytas looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 29 personal fouls committed by Juventus helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was swingman Lukas Uleckas (199-1999) who scored 21 points and 5 assists. International Gytis Radzevicius (197-1995) chipped in 16 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Scoochie Smith (191-1994, college: Dayton) who recorded 21 points, 9 assists and 4 steals and the former international center Sarunas Beniusis (206-1993, agency: BIG) added 16 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) respectively. Five Rytas and four Juventus players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Rytas (18-2) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Juventus lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with eight games lost. Juventus will play next round against P.Zvaigzdes trying to get back on the winning streak. Rytas will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Zalgiris in Kaunas.
Top scorers:
Juventus: S.Smith 21+2reb+9ast, S.Beniusis 16+6reb, T.Starks 16+2reb, I.Vranes 11+8reb, M.Valinskas 9+2reb+3ast, Z.Skucas 7+2reb
Rytas: L.Uleckas 21+1reb+5ast, G.Radzevicius 16+4reb+4ast, M.Echodas 13+8reb+3ast, J.Gorham 11+6reb+3ast, R.Cole 10+1reb+2ast, G.Masiulis 8+2reb

Siauliai - Jonava 89-86

There was a minor upset when 7th ranked Jonava (8-13) was edged on the road by tenth ranked Siauliai (6-15) 89-86 on Sunday. American guard LJ Thorpe (196-1999, college: UNC Asheville, agency: Worldwide SM) stepped up and scored 28 points and 7 assists for the winners and Daniel Baslyk (198-2001, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 14 points. The best for the losing side was forward Justas Furmanavicius (199-1994, college: Ole Miss) with 29 points and 6 rebounds and forward Tauras Jogela (203-1993, agency: 011 Sports) scored 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Siauliai and four Jonava players scored in double figures. Siauliai moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Nevezis. Loser Jonava dropped to the eighth position with 13 games lost. Siauliai will meet higher ranked Neptunas (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Jonava will play against Lietkabelis and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Jonava: J.Furmanavicius 29+6reb, T.Jogela 15+8reb+4ast, S.Micovic 15+7reb+2ast, I.Marinkovic 13+7reb+1ast, E.Seskus 7+4reb+6ast, R.Larson 5+2reb
Siauliai: L.Thorpe 28+4reb+7ast, B.Daniel 14+4reb+3ast, D.Paulius 14+7reb, N.Mineikis 10+5reb, S.Keith 10+3reb, D.Romancenko 5+2reb

P.Zvaigzdes - Nevezis 91-101

There was a small surprise in Pasvalys where eleventh ranked Nevezis (6-15) defeated 9th ranked P.Zvaigzdes (5-14) 101-91 on Sunday. Nevezis made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. American forward Zane Waterman (203-1995, college: Manhattan) stepped up and scored 20 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Nigerian-American power forward Francis Okoro (204-1999, college: St.Louis) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American guard Jordan Watson (189-1995, college: West Liberty) with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Trinidad and Tobago forward Kadeem Jack (206-1992, college: Rutgers) scored 18 points and 6 rebounds. Five Nevezis and four P.Zvaigzdes players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Nevezis moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Siauliai. P.Zvaigzdes lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the eleventh position with 14 games lost. Nevezis will meet at home higher ranked Mazeikiai (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. P.Zvaigzdes will play against Juventus (#4) in Utena and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
P.Zvaigzdes: J.Watson 22+5reb+6ast, K.Jack 18+6reb+1ast, B.Tabb 14+4reb+3ast, M.Arlauskas 13+4reb+2ast, A.Sidarevicius 10+2reb+2ast, S.Jarumbauskas 7+7reb+1ast
Nevezis: Z.Waterman 20+7reb+1ast, F.Okoro 19+6reb, C.Jurgens 16+2reb+5ast, C.Ramey 14+4reb+1ast, I.Vaitkus 13+6reb+1ast, S.McNeil 13

Lietkabelis - Neptunas 76-78

Important game to mention about took place in Panevezys. Seventh ranked Neptunas (9-12) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Lietkabelis (11-7) 78-76 on Monday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Lietkabelis. It was a good game for the former international forward Azuolas Tubelis (211-2002, college: Arizona) who led his team to a victory with 21 points. Ignas Sargiunas (196-1999, college: Colorado St.) contributed with 10 points and 5 assists for the winners. Forward Gediminas Orelik (200-1990) answered with 29 points and 5 assists and Serbian center Djordje Gagic (210-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) added 12 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Lietkabelis. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Neptunas maintains seventh place with 9-12 record. Lietkabelis at the other side keeps the fifth position with seven games lost. Neptunas will play against Siauliai (#9) at home in the next round. Lietkabelis will play against Jonava (#8) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Lietkabelis: G.Orelik 29+2reb+5ast, D.Gagic 12+5reb+2ast, D.Bickauskis 9+2reb+5ast, G.Maldunas 7+4reb+1ast, N.Popovic 6+3reb, P.Valinskas 6+6reb+4ast
Neptunas: A.Tubelis 21+3reb+1ast, D.Gailius 12+2reb+2ast, I.Sargiunas 10+1reb+5ast, M.Pacevicius 9+5reb+2ast, T.Lambrecht 8+2reb+1ast, Z.Janavicius 8+2reb+3ast