Lithuania – LKL Round 5: Dzukija defeats Nevezis in the closest game of the week

AnatolyKashirov After 5 rounds played we can already see who rules in the LKL and who belongs to weaker ones. There was no lack of interesting games this round. The round ended with favorites losing the games and games ending by tiny margin.The most exciting game of round 5 in the LKL took place in Kedainiai. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 4th placed Nevezis (2-3) to seventh ranked Dzukija (2-2) 85-82 on Tuesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nevezis. The guests trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 6-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 85-82. Dzukija outrebounded Nevezis 43-29 including 31 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Russia center Anatoly Kashirov (215-87) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and point guard Gediminas Navickas (180-84) chipped in 19 points and 4 assists. Dzukija’s coach Andrej Urlep used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Croatia guard Toni Prostran (182-91) responded with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Dzukija moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Juventus. Nevezis at the other side dropped to the sixth position with three games lost. They share it with Vytautas and P.Zvaigzdes. Dzukija is looking forward to face Neptunas (#9) in Klaipeda in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Nevezis will play at home against Juventus and it may be a tough game between close rivals. The game between Top Four teams took place in Prienai. 4th placed host Vytautas (2-3) lost to leader Lietuvos rytas (5-0) 83-79. Forward Deividas Gailius (200-88) nailed 17 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and Arturas Gudaitis accounted for 17 points and 8 rebounds. Forward Saulius Kulvietis (206-91) came up with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for Vytautas in the defeat. Undefeated Lietuvos rytas have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-0 record. Vytautas lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with three games lost. They share it with Nevezis and P.Zvaigzdes. Lietuvos rytas will play against Zalgiris (#3) in Kaunas in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Vytautas will play on the road against Siauliai and hopes to get back on the winning track. Bottom-ranked Neptunas (0-4) is still winless. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to second ranked Lietkabelis (4-1) 93-74 on Wednesday evening. The best player for the winners was Ben Madgen who scored 13 points and 6 rebounds. Mindaugas Girdziunas produced 18 points and 4 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Lietkabelis maintains second place with 4-1 record behind leader Lietuvos rytas, which they share with Zalgiris. Neptunas lost their fourth game in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Siauliai. Lietkabelis will meet at home P.Zvaigzdes (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Neptunas will play against Dzukija in Alytus and hopes to get finally their first victory.Bottom-ranked Siauliai (0-4) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to eighth ranked Juventus (2-2) 98-79. Vytautas Sulskis orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Juventus moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Dzukija. Siauliai lost their fourth game in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. Juventus’ next round opponent will be Nevezis (#6) in Kedainiai. Siauliai will play at home against Vytautas (#8) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.The game in Pasvalys was also quite interesting. Third ranked Zalgiris (4-1) played at the court of 5th ranked P.Zvaigzdes (2-3). Zalgiris managed to secure a 4-point victory 86-82 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of P.Zvaigzdes. Paulius Jankunas stepped up and scored 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Zalgiris’ coach Sarunas Jasikevicius allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Zalgiris. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Lietkabelis. Loser P.Zvaigzdes dropped to the sixth position with three games lost. Zalgiris will face league’s leader Lietuvos rytas in Vilnius in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. P.Zvaigzdes will play on the road against the league’s second-placed …

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