LKL Round 29 (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 (26-1) added another victory to their record on Wednesday. This time they beat sixth ranked Gargzdu (11-15) in Gargzdai 85-77. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Gargzdu. Zalgiris shot 23 for 34 from the free-throw line, while Gargzdu only scored five points from the stripe. 26 personal fouls committed by Gargzdu helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. French point guard Sylvain Francisco (185-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points and 7 assists. International power forward Azuolas Tubelis (211-2002, college: Arizona) contributed with 14 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Zalgiris' coach Tomas Masiulis used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Jalon Pipkins (193-1998, college: PFW) answered with 29 points for Gargzdu. Zalgiris have an impressive series of twenty two victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 26-1 record. Gargzdu at the other side keeps the sixth position with 15 games lost. Zalgiris are looking forward to face Siauliai (#4) on the road in the next round. Gargzdu will play against Nevezis in Kedainiai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Kedainiai supposed to be also worth to mention about. Third ranked Neptunas (16-10) played at the court of 7th ranked Nevezis (8-18). Neptunas smashed Nevezis 110-82. Vitalijus Kozys (201-1999) stepped up and scored 12 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and Donatas Tarolis chipped in 6 points and 10 rebounds. American guard Josh Jefferson (188-1998, college: MTSU) responded with 19 points and 5 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Neptunas moved-up to second place, which they share with Rytas. Nevezis at the other side keeps the seventh position with 18 games lost. They share it with Juventus. Neptunas will play against Lietkabelis (#5) in Panevezys in the next round. Nevezis will play at home against Gargzdu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 29 Juventus was smashed by Lietkabelis on the road 91-69. Bottom-ranked Jonava lost to Rytas on its own court 81-98.



Lietkabelis - Juventus 91-69

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Lietkabelis (12-13) crushed 8th ranked Juventus (8-18) in Panevezys 91-69. Lietkabelis players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. The former international Paulius Danusevicius (205-2001) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and international power forward Gabrielius Maldunas (204-1993, college: Dartmouth) chipped in 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Lietkabelis players scored in double figures. Swingman Lukas Uleckas (199-1999) responded with 15 points and guard Evaldas Saulys (191-1993) scored 11 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Lietkabelis maintains fifth place with 12-13 record. Juventus lost their tenth game in a row. They dropped to the seventh position with 18 games lost. They share it with Nevezis. Lietkabelis will play against higher ranked Neptunas (#3) in Klaipeda in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Juventus will play on the road against the league's second-placed Rytas (#2) in Vilnius and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Juventus: L.Uleckas 15+3reb+1ast, S.Evaldas 11+3reb+2ast, I.Vranes 9+3reb+1ast, M.Lewis 9+4reb+2ast, P.Valinskas 7+2reb, S.Beniusis 6+5reb+2ast
Lietkabelis: M.Jamel 22, D.Paulius 16+10reb+4ast, K.Kristian 15+3reb+5ast, M.Gabrielius 14+9reb+4ast, B.Dovis 5+1reb+3ast, R.Nikola 5+2reb+5ast

Jonava - Rytas 81-98

Very expected game when 9th ranked Jonava (6-21) lost at home to third ranked Rytas (16-10) 98-81. Rytas made 21-of-24 charity shots (87.5 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. American-Polish point guard Jerrick Harding (185-1998, college: Weber St.) stepped up and scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners and the former international center Martynas Echodas (206-1997) chipped in 12 points and 5 rebounds. Forward Lukas Kreismontas (201-2001) responded with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Canadian power forward Ben Krikke (206-2001, college: Iowa) scored 19 points. Four Rytas and five Jonava players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Rytas moved-up to second place, which they share with Neptunas. Jonava at the other side stay at the bottom position with 21 games lost. Rytas will play against Juventus (#8) in Utena in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Jonava will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Jonava: B.Krikke 19+2reb, L.Varner Jr 15+3reb, L.Kreismontas 14+6reb+4ast, M.Ashton-Langford 11+2reb+5ast, T.Rutherford 10+5reb+1ast, O.Carter III 8+2reb+2ast
Rytas: H.Jerrick 23+5reb+8ast, G.Arturas 15+2reb, M.Augustas 13+2reb+3ast, E.Martynas 12+5reb+1ast, S.Lukosius 8+2reb, S.Ignas 7+2reb+4ast

Gargzdu - Zalgiris 77-85

LKL top team - Zalgiris (26-1) added another victory to their record on Wednesday. This time they beat sixth ranked Gargzdu (11-15) in Gargzdai 85-77. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Gargzdu. Zalgiris shot 23 for 34 from the free-throw line, while Gargzdu only scored five points from the stripe. 26 personal fouls committed by Gargzdu helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. French point guard Sylvain Francisco (185-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points and 7 assists. International power forward Azuolas Tubelis (211-2002, college: Arizona) contributed with 14 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Zalgiris' coach Tomas Masiulis used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Jalon Pipkins (193-1998, college: PFW) answered with 29 points and forward Nojus Mineikis (201-2000) added 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Gargzdu. Zalgiris have an impressive series of twenty two victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 26-1 record. Gargzdu at the other side keeps the sixth position with 15 games lost. Zalgiris are looking forward to face Siauliai (#4) on the road in the next round. Gargzdu will play against Nevezis in Kedainiai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Gargzdu: J.Pipkins 29+1reb+2ast, N.Mineikis 14+9reb+4ast, J.Turner 9+2reb+4ast, P.Petrilevicius 8+9reb+2ast, T.Pulliam 6+3ast, M.Meiers 4+3reb+1ast
Zalgiris: F.Sylvain 15+3reb+7ast, T.Azuolas 14+8reb+3ast, S.Deividas 11+1reb+2ast, W.Moses 8+6reb+1ast, R.Mantas 7+4reb+2ast, B.Ignas 7+4reb

Nevezis - Neptunas 82-110

The game in Kedainiai supposed to be also worth to mention about. Third ranked Neptunas (16-10) played at the court of 7th ranked Nevezis (8-18). Neptunas smashed Nevezis 110-82. Neptunas made 23-of-26 charity shots (88.5 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Vitalijus Kozys (201-1999) stepped up and scored 12 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and the former international Donatas Tarolis (205-1994) chipped in 6 points and 10 rebounds. American guard Josh Jefferson (188-1998, college: MTSU) responded with 19 points and 5 assists and Angolan guard Selton Miguel (193-2000, college: Maryland) scored 18 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Neptunas moved-up to second place, which they share with Rytas. Nevezis at the other side keeps the seventh position with 18 games lost. They share it with Juventus. Neptunas will play against Lietkabelis (#5) in Panevezys in the next round. Nevezis will play at home against Gargzdu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nevezis: J.Jefferson 19+1reb+5ast, S.Miguel 18+3reb+2ast, J.Muila 13+5reb+1ast, K.Pohto 11+9reb, N.Montvila 8+1ast, J.Godfrey 5+1ast
Neptunas: C.Harrison 17+2ast, B.Arnas 16+2reb, S.Karlis 13+1reb+1ast, K.Vitalijus 12+5reb+3ast, M.Aurimas 12+4reb+1ast, K.Maks 9+3reb+1ast