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Lithuania – LKL Round 6: Zalgiris hand first defeat to Lietuvos rytas
- Updated: October 10, 2016
EdgarasUlanovas It’s still too early stage of the Regular Season in LKL, but even now we can clearly see the differece between stronger teams and outsiders. There were many interesting games last round. The round ended with loss of the undefeated team, favorites losing the games and even winless team recording their first victory.The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Lietuvos rytas (5-1) in Vilnius on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by Zalgiris (5-1) 74-66. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Lietuvos rytas. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The guests trailed by 4 points at the halftime before their 22-8 charge in the third quarter, which allowed them to win the game. The best player for the winners was guard Edgaras Ulanovas (197-92) who scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. Canadian-Slovenia point guard Kevin Pangos (188-93, college: Gonzaga) chipped in 16 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Polish guard David Logan (185-82, college: Indianapolis) who recorded 12 points and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Zalgiris have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with defeated Lietuvos rytas. Zalgiris is looking forward to face Dzukija (#7) in Alytus in the next round where they are favorite. Lietuvos rytas will play at home against Siauliai (#10) and is hoping to win this game. Very important is a home loss of third ranked Lietkabelis (4-2) against eighth ranked P.Zvaigzdes (3-3) on Sunday night. Host Lietkabelis was crushed by P.Zvaigzdes in Panevezys 88-69. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Lietkabelis. It was a good game for American point guard Derrick Low (191-86, college: Washington St., agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory with 20 points, 9 assists and 4 steals (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Egidijus Dimsa contributed with 14 points and 11 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) for the winners. P.Zvaigzdes’ coach Ramunas Cvirka allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Center Ksistof Lavrinovic (209-79) replied with 23 points and 6 rebounds for Lietkabelis. P.Zvaigzdes moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Nevezis and Vytautas. Lietkabelis at the other side keeps the third position with two games lost. P.Zvaigzdes will play against Nevezis (#4) in Kedainiai in the next round. Lietkabelis will play on the road against Vytautas in Prienai and hopes to get back on the winning track. Neptunas can celebrate finally their first win this season after four consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Alytus, where they outplayed Dzukija (2-3) 80-56 on Sunday. Larry Drew II scored 19 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. The best for the losing side was Julius Kazakauskas with 7 points and 8 rebounds. 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 maintains ninth position with 1-4 record. Loser Dzukija dropped to the seventh place with three games lost. They share the position with Juventus. Neptunas will meet at home higher ranked Juventus (#8) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Dzukija will play against the league’s leader Zalgiris where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either. Bottom-ranked Siauliai (0-5) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 97-60 loss to eighth ranked Vytautas (3-3) in Siauliai. Saulius Kulvietis notched 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort. Vytautas’ coach Virginijus Seskus felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Vytautas moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Nevezis and P.Zvaigzdes. Siauliai at the other side still closes the standings with five games lost. Vytautas’ next round opponent will be higher ranked Lietkabelis (#3) in Panevezys and it may be the game of the week. Siauliai will play on the road against the league’s second-placed Lietuvos rytas (#2) in Vilnius and hopes to get finally their first victory.The game in Kedainiai was also quite interesting. 5th ranked Juventus (2-3) played at the court of sixth ranked Nevezis (3-3). Nevezis defeated Juventus 88-74 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Toni Prostran who scored 9 points, 5 rebounds and 15 assists. Nevezis moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Vytautas and P.Zvaigzdes. Loser Juventus dropped to the seventh position with three games lost. Nevezis will face P.Zvaigzdes (#5) in Pasvalys in the next round. Juventus will play on the road against Neptunas in Klaipeda and …
