LKL Round 31 (Regular Season): Top-ranked Zalgiris win another game

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

LKL top team - Zalgiris (30-2) had no problems winning another game on Wednesday. This time they crushed eighth ranked Neptunas (11-21) in Kaunas 84-49. Zalgiris dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Neptunas' 24. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Matt Mitchell (199-1999, college: SDSU) who helped to win the game recording 15 points. His fellow American import guard Isaiah Wong (193-2001, college: Miami, FL) contributed with 14 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Center Martynas Pacevicius (206-1997) answered with 10 points and 9 rebounds for Neptunas. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Zalgiris have an impressive series of twenty six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 30-2 record. Neptunas at the other side keeps the eighth position with 21 games lost. Zalgiris are looking forward to face Jonava (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Neptunas will play against Wolves (#5) in Vilnius and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
The game in Siauliai was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Lietkabelis (17-15) played at the court of 7th ranked Siauliai (13-19). Lietkabelis defeated Siauliai 104-89. It was a great evening for swingman Martynas Varnas (196-1997) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Paulius Danusevicius helped adding 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side American Gerry Blakes (193-1993, college: Arizona St., agency: BIG) responded with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Lietkabelis maintains fourth place with 17-15 record, which they share with Wolves. Siauliai at the other side keeps the seventh position with 19 games lost. Lietkabelis will play against league's second-placed Rytas in Vilnius in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Siauliai will play on the road against Juventus (#6) in Utena and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Utena was also quite interesting. Second ranked Rytas (26-6) played at the court of 6th ranked Juventus (14-18). Rytas defeated Juventus 104-90 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Juventus. It was an exceptional evening for Gytis Masiulis who led the winners and scored 19 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). Vincent Kesteloot came up with 11 points and 6 rebounds for Juventus in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Rytas. Defending champion maintains second place with 26-6 record having four points less than leader Zalgiris. Loser Juventus keeps the sixth position with 18 games lost. Rytas will meet at home Lietkabelis (#4) in the next round. Juventus will play against Siauliai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 31 Jonava smashed Mazeikiai on the road 107-86. Nevezis lost to Wolves on its own court 106-107.
The most impressive performance of 31th round was 37 points (!!!) and 8 assists by Anthony Cowan Jr of Wolves.



Siauliai - Lietkabelis 89-104

The game in Siauliai was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Lietkabelis (17-15) played at the court of 7th ranked Siauliai (13-19). Lietkabelis defeated Siauliai 104-89. Lietkabelis shot the lights out from three nailing 15 long-distance shots on high 51.7 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. It was a great evening for swingman Martynas Varnas (196-1997) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). The former international Paulius Danusevicius (205-2001) helped adding 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Lietkabelis players scored in double figures. At the losing side American Gerry Blakes (193-1993, college: Arizona St., agency: BIG) responded with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and swingman Lukas Uleckas (199-1999) scored 18 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Lietkabelis maintains fourth place with 17-15 record, which they share with Wolves. Siauliai at the other side keeps the seventh position with 19 games lost. Lietkabelis will play against league's second-placed Rytas in Vilnius in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Siauliai will play on the road against Juventus (#6) in Utena and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Siauliai: L.Uleckas 18+6reb, D.Romancenko 16+1reb, G.Blakes 15+7reb+4ast, S.Buchanan 9+2reb+5ast, S.Kulvietis 8+1ast, E.Stankevicius 7+1reb+3ast
Lietkabelis: M.Varnas 16+3reb+4ast, D.Bickauskis 14+1reb+3ast, M.Rubstavicius 14+4reb+1ast, P.Danusevicius 12+6reb+4ast, G.Vasiliauskas 11+1reb, G.Maldunas 10+2reb+2ast

Mazeikiai - Jonava 86-107

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Jonava (19-13) crushed on the road bottom-ranked Mazeikiai (3-29) 107-86 on Tuesday. Jonava outrebounded Mazeikiai 38-27 including a 26-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Jonava looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American guard DJ Brewton (193-2000, college: CS Fullerton) who led the winners and scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. His fellow American import point guard Brandon Childress (183-1997, college: Wake Forest) accounted for 25 points, 7 assists and 4 steals for the winning side. Jonava's coach Mantas Sernius felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Justinas Jogminas (197-1997) came up with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Nojus Mineikis (201-2000) added 14 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Mazeikiai in the defeat. Four Mazeikiai players scored in double figures. Jonava maintains third place with 19-13 record having eleven points less than leader Zalgiris. Mazeikiai lost their seventeenth game in a row. They stay dead last with 29 lost games. Jonava will meet at home league's leader Zalgiris in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Mazeikiai will play against Nevezis (#9) in Kedainiai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Mazeikiai: K.Lesciauskas 20+1reb+3ast, J.Jogminas 16+9reb+6ast, N.Mineikis 14+7reb+3ast, A.Urkis 13, S.Valunta 9+2ast, T.Baltrusaitis 6+4reb+1ast
Jonava: B.Childress 25+7ast, D.Brewton 22+9reb+7ast, B.Bliznyuk 18+2reb, L.Kreismontas 9+6reb, A.Majauskas 8+3reb, M.Kirves 7+6reb+1ast

Juventus - Rytas 90-104

The game in Utena was also quite interesting. Second ranked Rytas (26-6) played at the court of 6th ranked Juventus (14-18). Rytas defeated Juventus 104-90 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Juventus. It was an exceptional evening for the former international Gytis Masiulis (206-1998) who led the winners and scored 19 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). International Gytis Radzevicius (197-1995) accounted for 20 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Belgian Vincent Kesteloot (198-1995) came up with 11 points and 6 rebounds and American center Sukhmail Mathon (208-1998, college: Boston U.) added 14 points respectively for Juventus in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Rytas. Defending champion maintains second place with 26-6 record having four points less than leader Zalgiris. Loser Juventus keeps the sixth position with 18 games lost. Rytas will meet at home Lietkabelis (#4) in the next round. Juventus will play against Siauliai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Juventus: S.Mathon 14+3reb+1ast, E.Saulys 12+3reb+1ast, L.Thorpe 12+3reb+2ast, V.Kesteloot 11+6reb+2ast, L.Beliauskas 11+2reb+2ast, E.Sederevicius 8+2reb
Rytas: G.Radzevicius 20+1reb+4ast, G.Masiulis 19+7reb+1ast, R.Cole 17+1reb+3ast, A.Tubelis 14+7reb, M.Normantas 11+2reb+4ast, A.Gudaitis 10+6reb+2ast

Zalgiris - Neptunas 84-49

LKL top team - Zalgiris (30-2) had no problems winning another game on Wednesday. This time they crushed eighth ranked Neptunas (11-21) in Kaunas 84-49. Zalgiris dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Neptunas' 24. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Matt Mitchell (199-1999, college: SDSU) who helped to win the game recording 15 points. His fellow American import guard Isaiah Wong (193-2001, college: Miami, FL) contributed with 14 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Four Zalgiris players scored in double figures. Center Martynas Pacevicius (206-1997) answered with 10 points and 9 rebounds and British forward Myles Hesson (198-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) added 8 points in the effort for Neptunas. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Zalgiris have an impressive series of twenty six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 30-2 record. Neptunas at the other side keeps the eighth position with 21 games lost. Zalgiris are looking forward to face Jonava (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Neptunas will play against Wolves (#5) in Vilnius and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Neptunas: M.Pacevicius 10+9reb, Z.Waterman 8+4reb, M.Hesson 8+4reb+1ast, N.Johnson 8+2reb+2ast, D.Buie 7+1reb+4ast, T.Pavelka 5+3reb
Zalgiris: M.Mitchell 15+4reb+1ast, I.Wong 14+5reb+1ast, D.Giedraitis 11+4reb+3ast, L.Birutis 10+2reb+1ast, D.Sirvydis 10+4reb+2ast, A.Butkevicius 6+4reb+2ast

Nevezis - Wolves 106-107

Very expected game when 9th ranked Nevezis (10-22) was edged by fifth ranked Wolves (17-15) in Kedainiai 107-106 on Wednesday. Wolves made 29-of-38 free shots (76.3 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. It was an exceptional evening for American point guard Anthony Cowan Jr (183-1997, college: Maryland) who led the winners and scored 37 points (!!!) and 8 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). The former international center Marek Blazevic (209-2001) accounted for 18 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. American guard Joseph Girard III (185-2000, college: Clemson) came up with 25 points and 5 assists and the other American import forward Ed Croswell (203-1999, college: Providence) added 23 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) respectively for Nevezis in the defeat. Four Wolves and five Nevezis players scored in double figures. Wolves moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Lietkabelis. Nevezis lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 22 games lost. Wolves will meet at home Neptunas (#8) in the next round. Nevezis will play against Mazeikiai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nevezis: J.Girard III 25+3reb+5ast, E.Croswell 23+3reb, V.Kozys 15+3reb+7ast, I.Vaitkus 15+6reb+5ast, A.Mikalauskas 13+6reb+2ast, D.Doualla 10+4reb+5ast
Wolves: A.Cowan Jr. 37+2reb+8ast, M.Blazevic 18+5reb, A.Kulboka 11+2reb, R.Miniotas 11+10reb+1ast, A.Andrews 10+3reb+4ast, T.Thurman 8