LKL Round 22 (Regular Season): Top-ranked Zalgiris win another game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

LKL top team - Zalgiris (20-2) added another victory to their record on Sunday. This time they beat ninth ranked Nevezis (6-16) in Kedainiai 84-80. Zalgiris made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Nevezis turnovers. 24 personal fouls committed by Nevezis helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of French point guard Sylvain Francisco (185-1997) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 4 assists. The former international center Laurynas Birutis (213-1997) contributed with 11 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Israeli point guard Amit Ebo (180-1999) replied with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists for Nevezis. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Zalgiris have an impressive 16-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 20-2 record. Nevezis at the other side keeps the ninth place with 16 games lost. Zalgiris are looking forward to face Neptunas (#7) in Klaipeda in the next round where they are favorite. Nevezis will play on the road against Jonava and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
The game in Jonava was also worth to mention about. One of their biggest challengers Lietkabelis (11-11) played at the court of sixth ranked Jonava (11-11). Jonava managed to secure a 5-point victory 92-87. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Lietkabelis. American point guard Brandon Childress (183-1997, college: Wake Forest) scored 25 points and 4 steals (made all of his ten free throws !!!) to lead the charge for the winners and DJ Brewton chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Jonava's coach Mantas Sernius allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side the former international Paulius Danusevicius (205-2001) responded with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Jonava moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Lietkabelis. Jonava will play against Nevezis (#9) in Kedainiai in the next round where they are favorite. Lietkabelis will play at home against Wolves (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Siauliai was also quite interesting. 7th ranked Neptunas (9-13) played at the court of eighth ranked Siauliai (8-13). Siauliai defeated Neptunas 91-78 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Neptunas. American players dominated the game. Gerry Blakes notched 19 points and 7 assists to lead the effort. Even 8 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists by Desure Buie did not help to save the game for Neptunas. Neptunas' coach Giorgos Vovoras rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Siauliai maintains eighth position with 8-13 record. Loser Neptunas keeps the seventh place with 13 games lost. Siauliai will meet at home league's second-placed Rytas in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Neptunas will play against the league's leader Zalgiris (#1) having rather not much hope for a victory.

In the last two games of round 22 bottom-ranked Mazeikiai was smashed by Rytas on the road 102-69. Wolves won against Juventus on its own court 87-83.
The most impressive performance of 22th round was 30 points and 5 assists by Anthony Cowan Jr of Wolves.



Jonava - Lietkabelis 92-87

The game in Jonava was also worth to mention about. One of their biggest challengers Lietkabelis (11-11) played at the court of sixth ranked Jonava (11-11). Jonava managed to secure a 5-point victory 92-87. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Lietkabelis. American point guard Brandon Childress (183-1997, college: Wake Forest) scored 25 points and 4 steals (made all of his ten free throws !!!) to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import guard DJ Brewton (193-2000, college: CS Fullerton) chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Jonava's coach Mantas Sernius allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side the former international Paulius Danusevicius (205-2001) responded with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds and international power forward Gabrielius Maldunas (204-1993, college: Dartmouth) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Jonava moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Lietkabelis. Jonava will play against Nevezis (#9) in Kedainiai in the next round where they are favorite. Lietkabelis will play at home against Wolves (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Jonava: B.Childress 25+3ast, D.Brewton 16+5reb+6ast, O.Pleikys 12+9reb+2ast, M.Kirves 11+3reb+2ast, S.Jarumbauskas 10+3reb, M.Arlauskas 9+3ast
Lietkabelis: O.Kovliar 15+6ast, G.Maldunas 14+5reb+2ast, D.Bickauskis 13+1reb+3ast, P.Danusevicius 12+10reb+1ast, M.Varnas 10+2reb+1ast, V.Lipkevicius 7

Rytas - Mazeikiai 102-69

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Rytas (17-5) crushed bottom-ranked Mazeikiai (3-19) in Vilnius 102-69 on Saturday. Rytas looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The former international Margiris Normantas (194-1996) notched 16 points and 7 assists to lead the effort and American swingman Savion Flagg (201-1999, college: SHSU) supported him with 20 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Four Rytas players scored in double figures. Rytas' coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists by forward Nojus Mineikis (201-2000) did not help to save the game for Mazeikiai. American center Sukhmail Mathon (208-1998, college: Boston U.) added 15 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Defending champion maintains second position with 17-5 record having just three points less than leader Zalgiris. Mazeikiai lost seventh consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games. Rytas will meet Siauliai (#8) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Mazeikiai will play against Juventus in Utena and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rytas: S.Flagg 20+5reb, M.Normantas 16+3reb+7ast, J.Graves 14+7reb+3ast, P.Jackson-Cartwright 13+2reb+7ast, A.Gudaitis 12+7reb+1ast, I.Urbonas 12+3reb
Mazeikiai: N.Mineikis 16+7reb+4ast, S.Mathon 15+6reb+1ast, A.Urkis 14+3reb+2ast, T.Zdanavicius 8+5reb+3ast, V.Cizauskas 7+7reb+4ast, J.Jogminas 4+5reb

Siauliai - Neptunas 91-78

The game in Siauliai was also quite interesting. 7th ranked Neptunas (9-13) played at the court of eighth ranked Siauliai (8-13). Siauliai defeated Neptunas 91-78 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Neptunas. Siauliai made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. American players dominated the game. Gerry Blakes (193-1993, college: Arizona St., agency: BIG) notched 19 points and 7 assists to lead the effort and guard Shaq Buchanan (190-1997, college: Murray St.) supported him with 18 points and 4 assists. Five Siauliai players scored in double figures. Even 8 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists by guard Desure Buie (182-1997, college: Hofstra) did not help to save the game for Neptunas. Point guard Nate Johnson (193-1998, college: Xavier) added 24 points for lost side. Neptunas' coach Giorgos Vovoras rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Siauliai maintains eighth position with 8-13 record. Loser Neptunas keeps the seventh place with 13 games lost. Siauliai will meet at home league's second-placed Rytas in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Neptunas will play against the league's leader Zalgiris (#1) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Siauliai: G.Blakes 19+3reb+7ast, S.Buchanan 18+1reb+4ast, M.Valinskas 13+1reb+2ast, S.Kulvietis 12+2reb, L.Uleckas 11+9reb+1ast, D.Romancenko 6+5reb
Neptunas: N.Johnson 24+1reb+1ast, M.Girdziunas 21+1ast, D.Buie 8+10reb+9ast, T.Pavelka 7+3reb+1ast, A.Berucka 7+4reb, Z.Waterman 5+3reb+4ast

Nevezis - Zalgiris 80-84

LKL top team - Zalgiris (20-2) added another victory to their record on Sunday. This time they beat ninth ranked Nevezis (6-16) in Kedainiai 84-80. Zalgiris made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Nevezis turnovers. 24 personal fouls committed by Nevezis helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of French point guard Sylvain Francisco (185-1997) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 4 assists. The former international center Laurynas Birutis (213-1997) contributed with 11 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Israeli point guard Amit Ebo (180-1999) replied with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists and American guard Joseph Girard III (185-2000, college: Clemson) added 17 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Nevezis. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Zalgiris have an impressive 16-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 20-2 record. Nevezis at the other side keeps the ninth place with 16 games lost. Zalgiris are looking forward to face Neptunas (#7) in Klaipeda in the next round where they are favorite. Nevezis will play on the road against Jonava and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris: S.Francisco 25+1reb+4ast, L.Birutis 11+5reb+2ast, D.Sirvydis 10+3reb+1ast, A.Smailagic 9+4reb+1ast, D.Giedraitis 8+3reb+2ast, E.Ulanovas 5+5reb
Nevezis: A.Ebo 22+5reb+12ast, J.Girard III 17+6reb+2ast, E.Croswell 11+5reb+1ast, J.Zakas 9+3ast, N.Montvila 8+1reb, V.Kozys 8+4reb

Wolves - Juventus 87-83

Rather expected game when 6th ranked Juventus (10-12) lost to third ranked Wolves (14-7) in Vilnius 83-87 on Sunday. Wolves made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. American point guard Anthony Cowan Jr (183-1997, college: Maryland) notched 30 points and 5 assists to lead the effort and the former international Regimantas Miniotas (208-1996) supported him with 13 points and 6 rebounds. Even 20 points by international Laurynas Beliauskas (194-1997) did not help to save the game for Juventus. American point guard Tookie Brown (180-1995, college: Georgia South) added 15 points for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Juventus' coach Vytautas Buzas tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Wolves have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 14-7 record having seven points less than leader Zalgiris. Juventus lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 12 games lost. Wolves will meet Lietkabelis (#5) in the next round. Juventus will play against Mazeikiai and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Wolves: A.Cowan Jr. 30+3reb+5ast, A.Kulboka 17+2reb, J.Taylor 15+3reb+2ast, R.Miniotas 13+6reb+1ast, K.Zemaitis 5+4reb+2ast, A.Andrews 4+4reb+6ast
Juventus: L.Beliauskas 20+4reb+2ast, T.Brown 15+2reb+2ast, D.Green 13+4reb+1ast, V.Kesteloot 11+3reb+1ast, S.Beniusis 8+2reb, E.Saulys 6+5reb+1ast