NKL Round 30 (Regular Season): Rytas 2 edge Telsiai by one point

The Regular Season in NKL is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 4 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 30 in the NKL took place in Telsiai. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 5th ranked Telsiai (16-12) to eighth ranked Rytas 2 (15-14) 76-75 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was guard Ignas Urbonas (198-2007) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. point guard Gantas Krizanauskas (186-2006) chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Martynas Gecevicius (193-1988) who recorded 26 points and 9 rebounds. Rytas 2 moved-up to seventh place. Telsiai lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with 12 games lost. Rytas 2 are looking forward to face P.Olimpas (#16) in Plunge in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Telsiai will play on the road against Zalgiris II (#3) in Kaunas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Leader Suduva-Mantinga delivered the twenty fifth victory. This time they crushed 16th ranked P.Olimpas (6-22) 93-68 in Plunge. It was a good game for point guard Ernestas Jaskus (195-2000, agency: Bell Basketball) who led his team to a victory with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Aurelijus Pukelis contributed with 16 points for the winners. Center Tadas Budrys (205-2002) replied with 15 points for P.Olimpas. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Suduva-Mantinga (25-4) have an impressive 15-game winning streak. They maintain first position. P.Olimpas lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth place with 22 games lost. Suduva-Mantinga will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. P.Olimpas will play at home against Rytas 2 (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Klaipeda between Neptunas-Akv. and Jurbarkas. Ninth ranked Neptunas-Akv. (14-13) got a very close home victory over 7th ranked Jurbarkas (14-13). Neptunas-Akv. managed to escape with a 2-point win 84-82 in the fight for the eighth place. Eimantas Zilius scored 18 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners. Neptunas-Akv.'s coach Tomas Gaidamavicius used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was Gintautas Matulis with 16 points and 4 assists. Neptunas-Akv. have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with defeated Jurbarkas. Neptunas-Akv. will meet at home Omega-Tauras (#13) in the next round where they are favorite. Jurbarkas will play against Kedainiai (#4) and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 30 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
bottom-ranked Alytus was crushed by Mazeikiai in a road game 94-60. Vytis beat Silute at home 99-91. Palanga lost to Zalgiris II on the opponent's court 87-96. Kretinga managed to outperform Vilkaviskis in a home game 83-77. Stekas managed to beat Omega-Tauras on the road 90-85.
The best stats of 30th round was 29 points and 13 rebounds by Tauris Aliukonis of Omega-Tauras.



Mazeikiai - Alytus 94-60

There was no surprise when 17th ranked Alytus (5-23) was crushed on the road by tenth ranked Mazeikiai (14-14) 94-60 on Saturday. Mazeikiai outrebounded Alytus 41-30 including 31 on the defensive glass. Mazeikiai looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Ukrainian forward Pavlo Karasov (203-2004) scored 17 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American guard DeAngelo Epps (196-2000, college: Catawba) chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Epps is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Mazeikiai players scored in double figures. Mazeikiai's coach Marius Kiltinavicius felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was American forward Ronnie DeGray III (198, college: Wichita St., agency: Diamond Sports) with 20 points and forward Tomas Stankevicius (197-2005) scored 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Mazeikiai maintains tenth position with 14-14 record, which they share with Kretinga. Alytus lost third consecutive game. They stay dead last with 23 lost games. Mazeikiai will meet Palanga (#14) on the road in the next round. Alytus will play against Silute and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Alytus: R.DeGray III 20+3reb+1ast, S.Tomas 13+5reb+4ast, R.Waters-Johnson 10+5reb+4ast, J.Justas 5+6reb, J.Norkus 5+4reb+1ast, N.Scott 3+6reb+1ast
Mazeikiai: N.Nickolas 17+1reb+4ast, K.Pavlo 17+8reb+2ast, E.DeAngelo 15+9reb, C.Young 13+4reb+5ast, S.Jokubas 7+5reb+4ast, M.Gediminas 7+7reb+3ast

Neptunas-Akv. - Jurbarkas 84-82

A very close game took place in Klaipeda between Neptunas-Akv. and Jurbarkas. Ninth ranked Neptunas-Akv. (14-13) got a very close home victory over 7th ranked Jurbarkas (14-13). Neptunas-Akv. managed to escape with a 2-point win 84-82 in the fight for the eighth place. Power forward Eimantas Zilius (200-1999, agency: Bell Basketball) scored 18 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and guard Kristupas Lesciauskas (191-2005) chipped in 14 points and 4 assists during the contest. Four Neptunas-Akv. players scored in double figures. Neptunas-Akv.'s coach Tomas Gaidamavicius used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was swingman Gintautas Matulis (196-1986) with 16 points and 4 assists and Karolis Kokoska (196-1992) scored 9 points and 8 rebounds. Neptunas-Akv. have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with defeated Jurbarkas. Neptunas-Akv. will meet at home Omega-Tauras (#13) in the next round where they are favorite. Jurbarkas will play against Kedainiai (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Jurbarkas: M.Gintautas 16+4reb+4ast, K.Babusis 14+5reb+1ast, J.Tamulis 13+2reb+2ast, K.Karolis 9+8reb+3ast, K.Guscikas 7+7reb+3ast, A.Arnas 7+2reb+4ast
Neptunas-Akv.: Z.Eimantas 18+3reb+2ast, R.Dziugas 15+3reb+1ast, K.Lesciauskas 14+3reb+4ast, R.Maciulis 10+3reb+3ast, S.Rytis 9+1ast, S.Sarakauskas 9+3reb+1ast

P.Olimpas - Suduva-Mantinga 68-93

Leader Suduva-Mantinga delivered the twenty fifth victory. This time they crushed 16th ranked P.Olimpas (6-22) 93-68 in Plunge. Suduva-Mantinga outrebounded P.Olimpas 40-27 including 27 on the defensive glass. Suduva-Mantinga players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by P.Olimpas' players. It was a good game for point guard Ernestas Jaskus (195-2000, agency: Bell Basketball) who led his team to a victory with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Aurelijus Pukelis (205-1994) contributed with 16 points for the winners. Four Suduva-Mantinga players scored in double figures. Center Tadas Budrys (205-2002) replied with 15 points and American guard Thomas Miles (190-1998, college: WPU) added 11 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for P.Olimpas. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Suduva-Mantinga (25-4) have an impressive 15-game winning streak. They maintain first position. P.Olimpas lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth place with 22 games lost. Suduva-Mantinga will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. P.Olimpas will play at home against Rytas 2 (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
P.Olimpas: T.Budrys 15+4reb+2ast, T.Miles 11+5reb+3ast, V.Arnas 10+2reb, C.Golson Jr. 7+5reb, N.Muhammad 7+1reb+3ast, K.Rokas 6+2reb
Suduva-Mantinga: J.Ernestas 18+6reb+3ast, A.Pukelis 16+4reb+3ast, S.Ernestas 11+2reb+1ast, M.Uzupis 10+5reb, V.Domantas 8+4reb+8ast, L.Ignas 7+4reb+2ast

Telsiai - Rytas 2 75-76

The most exciting game of round 30 in the NKL took place in Telsiai. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 5th ranked Telsiai (16-12) to eighth ranked Rytas 2 (15-14) 76-75 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was guard Ignas Urbonas (198-2007) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. point guard Gantas Krizanauskas (186-2006) chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Martynas Gecevicius (193-1988) who recorded 26 points and 9 rebounds and Deividas Rasys (197-1997) added 16 points respectively. Five Rytas 2 and four Telsiai players scored in double figures. Rytas 2 moved-up to seventh place. Telsiai lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with 12 games lost. Rytas 2 are looking forward to face P.Olimpas (#16) in Plunge in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Telsiai will play on the road against Zalgiris II (#3) in Kaunas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Telsiai: M.Gecevicius 26+9reb+2ast, R.Deividas 16+2reb+2ast, A.Rimkus 11+3reb+5ast, K.Ovidijus 10+3reb+5ast, R.Ignas 6+2reb+3ast, V.Pocius 4+3reb+3ast
Rytas 2: I.Urbonas 17+10reb+5ast, A.Vilkas 13+5reb, G.Krizanauskas 13+7reb+3ast, B.Gabrielius 11+3reb+3ast, P.Adomas 11+2reb, V.Adomaitis 5+5reb+2ast

Vytis - Silute 99-91

No shocking result in a game in Sakiai where second ranked Vytis (20-8) defeated 12th ranked Silute (12-16) 99-91 on Saturday. Vytis looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Point guard Titas Janusevicius (188-2001) scored 28 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Gabrielius Celka (198-2001) chipped in 18 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was swingman Lukas Kazlauskas (188-1992) with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 9 rebounds and 14 assists and American Gerrale Gates (198-2000, college: Holy Cross) scored 23 points and 6 rebounds. Four Vytis and five Silute players scored in double figures. Vytis maintains second position with 20-8 record having six points less than leader Suduva-Mantinga. Silute at the other side keeps the twelfth place with 16 games lost. Vytis will meet at home Kretinga (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Silute will play against Alytus and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Silute: G.Gates 23+6reb+3ast, N.Jankunas 20+2reb+5ast, N.Giga 18+7reb+2ast, L.Kazlauskas 14+9reb+14ast, D.Hutchinson 10+3reb+1ast, A.Simonis 6+3reb+1ast
Vytis: J.Titas 28+9reb+4ast, G.Celka 18+9reb+7ast, K.Leliukas 17+7reb+4ast, M.Gabrielius 11+1ast, J.Rubinas 10+1ast, N.Vaivada 6+3reb+7ast

Zalgiris II - Palanga 96-87

Very expected game in Kaunas where 14th ranked Palanga (11-17) was defeated by third ranked Zalgiris II (19-7) 96-87 on Saturday. Zalgiris II outrebounded Palanga 45-34 including 18 on the offensive glass. Estonian swingman Sten-Markus Adamson (200-2008) scored 12 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and guard Jokubas Rudaitis (198-2006) chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Five Zalgiris II players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was point guard Paulius Danisevicius (178-1995, agency: BIG) with 14 points and 8 assists and center Laurynas Mikalauskas (205-1985, college: Virginia) scored 17 points and 5 rebounds. Palanga's coach Erikas Kubilius rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Zalgiris II maintains third position with 19-7 record having nine points less than leader Suduva-Mantinga. Palanga at the other side dropped to the thirteenth place with 17 games lost. They share the position with Omega-Tauras. Zalgiris II will meet at home Telsiai (#5) in the next round. Palanga will play against Mazeikiai (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Palanga: L.Mikalauskas 17+5reb+2ast, B.Ernestas 15+3reb+2ast, P.Danisevicius 14+4reb+8ast, T.Barnies 9+9reb+3ast, M.Narvilas 9+2reb+1ast, S.Mindaugas 8+3reb+8ast
Zalgiris II: K.Mikalauskas 15+3reb+1ast, M.Bulanovas 14+6reb, S.Adamson 12+7reb+2ast, M.Brnovic 12+6reb+1ast, I.Stombergas 12+7reb+1ast, J.Rudaitis 12+6reb+3ast

Kretinga - Vilkaviskis 83-77

There was a surprise result when eleventh ranked Kretinga (14-14) beat at home higher ranked Vilkaviskis (15-13) 83-77 on Saturday. Canadian guard Jalen Warren (188-1999, college: UIC) scored 25 points and 4 steals to lead the charge for the winners and center Rytis Zabita (199-1994) chipped in 6 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was Zygimantas Skucas (202-1992, agency: BIG) with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Azuolas Hopenas (179-2007) scored 18 points and 4 assists. Vilkaviskis' coach Sarunas Zablockis rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Kretinga moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Mazeikiai. Vilkaviskis at the other side keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. Kretinga will meet league's second-placed Vytis in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Vilkaviskis will play against Stekas (#15) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Vilkaviskis: H.Azuolas 18+2reb+4ast, Z.Skucas 15+10reb+1ast, T.Pazarauskas 11+6reb, J.Saterfield 10+3reb, T.Gadsden 9+5reb+3ast, G.Stankevicius 8+5reb+2ast
Kretinga: W.Jalen 25+3reb+3ast, J.Young 16+4reb+1ast, M.Gytis 10+3reb+2ast, T.Rudys 8+3reb+1ast, J.Kazakauskas 8+9reb+4ast, E.Danys 7+2reb+3ast

Omega-Tauras - Stekas 85-90

There was a minor upset in Kaunas where 13th ranked Omega-Tauras (11-17) was defeated by fifteenth ranked Stekas (8-19) 90-85 on Saturday. Stekas looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American point guard Rahsaan Edwards (183, college: Florida Tech) had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American-Haitian center Simeus Webster (203-1999, college: York, NE) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was forward Tauris Aliukonis (204-2008) with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 13 rebounds (on 13-of-15 shooting from the field) and guard Vytautas Sulskis (201-1988, college: YSU, agency: BIG) scored 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Omega-Tauras players scored in double figures. Omega-Tauras' coach Giedrius Kurtinaitis rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Stekas maintains fifteenth position with 8-19 record. Omega-Tauras at the other side keeps the thirteenth place with 17 games lost. They share the position with Palanga. Stekas will meet higher ranked Vilkaviskis (#6) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Omega-Tauras will play against Neptunas-Akv. (#8) in Klaipeda and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Omega-Tauras: A.Tauris 29+13reb+1ast, V.Sulskis 13+5reb+4ast, V.Nedas 12+2reb+3ast, S.Simas 12+3reb+3ast, S.Vasiliauskas 8+2reb+7ast, R.Keliacius 4+2reb
Stekas: E.Rahsaan 29+3reb+10ast, W.Simeus 18+9reb, E.John 16+5reb+1ast, D.Morkunas 8+3reb, B.Karolis 7+4reb, K.Urbanavicius 5+1reb+6ast