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Rolands Smits

The Regular Season in LKL is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 6 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Kaunas. First ranked Zalgiris faced second-best Rytas. Host Zalgiris (23-4) defeated guests from Vilnius (21-6) 81-75. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Rytas. 27 personal fouls committed by Rytas helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was Latvian Rolands Smits (207-1995) who scored 12 points and 7 rebounds. The former international Edgaras Ulanovas (199-1992) chipped in 6 points and 8 rebounds. Zalgiris’ coach Kazys Maksvytis used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was international Gytis Radzevicius (197-1995) who recorded 17 points and 8 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Zalgiris have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 23-4 record. Defending champion Rytas keeps the second position with six games lost. Zalgiris are looking forward to face P.Zvaigzdes (#10) in Pasvalys in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rytas will play at home against Siauliai (#9) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
The game in Kedainiai was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Wolves (19-8) played at the court of 7th ranked Nevezis (12-15). Wolves managed to secure a 7-point victory 88-81. It was a good game for American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) who led his team to a victory with 24 points and 6 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). Ahmad Caver contributed with 19 points and 4 assists for the winners. American forward Deshawn Freeman (201-1994, college: Rutgers, agency: One Motive Sports) answered with 18 points and 5 rebounds for Nevezis. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Wolves. Newly promoted Wolves maintains third place with 19-8 record having four points less than leader Zalgiris. Nevezis at the other side keeps the seventh position with 15 games lost. They share it with Neptunas. Wolves will play against bottom-ranked Prienai (#12) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Nevezis will play against Neptunas (#7) in Klaipeda and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Gargzdai between Gargzdu and Juventus. Eleventh ranked Gargzdu (6-21) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Juventus (16-11). Gargzdu managed to escape with a 1-point win 77-76 on Sunday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. It was a great evening for Josh Newkirk who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was Reggie Lynch with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks. Juventus’ coach Donaldas Kairys tried various players’ combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. Newly promoted Gargzdu maintains eleventh place with 6-21 record. Loser Juventus keeps the fifth position with 11 games lost. Gargzdu will meet higher ranked Jonava (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Juventus will play against Lietkabelis where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.

Other games of round 27 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Neptunas defeated Siauliai in Klaipeda 89-87. Lietkabelis beat Jonava at home 85-72. P.Zvaigzdes won against Prienai on the opponent’s court 91-85.

Nevezis – Wolves 81-88

The game in Kedainiai was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Wolves (19-8) played at the court of 7th ranked Nevezis (12-15). Wolves managed to secure a 7-point victory 88-81. Nevezis was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a good game for American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) who led his team to a victory with 24 points and 6 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). His fellow American import guard Ahmad Caver (188-1996, college: ODU) contributed with 19 points and 4 assists for the winners. American forward Deshawn Freeman (201-1994, college: Rutgers, agency: One Motive Sports) answered with 18 points and 5 rebounds and Danielius Lavrinovicius (205-1999) added 14 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Nevezis. Four Nevezis players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Wolves. Newly promoted Wolves maintains third place with 19-8 record having four points less than leader Zalgiris. Nevezis at the other side keeps the seventh position with 15 games lost. They share it with Neptunas. Wolves will play against bottom-ranked Prienai (#12) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Nevezis will play against Neptunas (#7) in Klaipeda and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nevezis: D.Freeman 18+5reb+1ast, D.Lavrinovicius 14+6reb+2ast, T.Lambrecht 11+6reb, B.Davison 10+6reb+1ast, M.Valinskas 8, A.Cook 8+2reb+1ast
Wolves: R.Kelly 24+6reb+2ast, A.Caver 19+3reb+4ast, A.Juskevicius 9+1ast, E.Zukauskas 8+4reb, K.Zemaitis 8+4reb+4ast, R.Miniotas 6+3reb+1ast

gschID: 1003321

Siauliai – Neptunas 87-89

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both eighth ranked Neptunas and 9th ranked Siauliai had identical 11-15 record. But Siauliai was not able to use a home court advantage and was edged by the opponent from Klaipeda 89-87 on Saturday night. Neptunas looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for swingman Matas Jogela (201-1998) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 8 rebounds. American center Austin Wiley (211-1999, college: Auburn) helped adding 12 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. Five Neptunas players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Kyle Mangas (193-1999, college: IWU) with 27 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import point guard Antino Jackson (182-1996, college: N.Mexico, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 17 points and 4 assists. Neptunas (12-15) moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Nevezis. Loser Siauliai keeps the ninth position with 16 games lost. Neptunas will meet at home Nevezis (#8) in the next round. Siauliai will play against the league’s second-placed Rytas where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Siauliai: K.Mangas 27+5reb+2ast, A.Jackson 17+1reb+4ast, A.Urbutis 9+6reb, E.Stankevicius 8+3reb+1ast, B.Daniel 7+2reb, D.Sabeckis 7+6reb+5ast
Neptunas: M.Jogela 23+8reb+2ast, M.Girdziunas 17+1reb+2ast, A.Wiley 12+12reb, D.Gailius 11+4reb+6ast, Z.Janavicius 10+2reb+5ast, P.Oskaras 7+2reb+2ast

gschID: 1003322

Gargzdu – Juventus 77-76

A very close game took place in Gargzdai between Gargzdu and Juventus. Eleventh ranked Gargzdu (6-21) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Juventus (16-11). Gargzdu managed to escape with a 1-point win 77-76 on Sunday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. Gargzdu looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American point guard Josh Newkirk (185-1994, college: Indiana) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 5 assists. Giedrius Staniulis (206-1991) helped adding 15 points and 8 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American center Reggie Lynch (207-1994, college: Minnesota) with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks and Zygimantas Skucas (202-1992, agency: BIG) scored 12 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Juventus’ coach Donaldas Kairys tried various players’ combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. Newly promoted Gargzdu maintains eleventh place with 6-21 record. Loser Juventus keeps the fifth position with 11 games lost. Gargzdu will meet higher ranked Jonava (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Juventus will play against Lietkabelis where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Juventus: Z.Skucas 12+6reb, M.Paliukenas 11+4reb+2ast, G.Matulis 11+5reb+1ast, R.Lynch 11+6reb+1ast, J.Davis 9+1reb+5ast, J.Alston 6+5reb
Gargzdu: J.Newkirk 17+3reb+5ast, G.Staniulis 15+8reb+1ast, J.Washington 11+9reb, S.Beniusis 11+8reb, E.Jonkus 8+1reb+2ast, A.Urbonas 7+2reb+10ast

gschID: 1003323

Lietkabelis – Jonava 85-72

No shocking result in a game in Panevezys where fourth ranked Lietkabelis (17-10) defeated 6th ranked Jonava (14-13) 85-72 on Sunday. Lietkabelis dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Jonava’s 30 and made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Jonava 35-24 including 27 on the defensive glass. Lietkabelis looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for Bosnian-Serbian Nikola Popovic (211-1997, college: Boston Coll.) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard Jamel Morris (193-1992, college: Fairmont St.) helped adding 13 points and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was American forward Jeff Garrett (201-1994, college: LSUS, agency: Players Group) with 20 points and 6 rebounds and the former international swingman Edvinas Seskus (196-1995, agency: BIG) scored 10 points and 4 assists. Four Jonava players scored in double figures. Lietkabelis maintains fourth place with 17-10 record. Jonava lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 13 games lost. Lietkabelis will meet Juventus (#5) in the next round. Jonava will play against Gargzdu and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Jonava: J.Garrett 20+6reb+3ast, M.Laksa 12+4reb, E.Maxwell 11+3reb, E.Seskus 10+4reb+4ast, A.Majauskas 8+1reb+2ast, G.Watson Jr. 6+4reb+5ast
Lietkabelis: N.Popovic 16+7reb+4ast, J.Morris 13+2reb+6ast, J.Randell 11+2reb+2ast, G.Goloman 11+3reb+1ast, K.Kullamaee 8+3reb+1ast, V.Lipkevicius 8+8reb+3ast

gschID: 1003324

Prienai – P.Zvaigzdes 85-91

Rather expected game when 12th ranked Prienai (4-23) was defeated at home by tenth ranked P.Zvaigzdes (7-20) 91-85 on Monday. P.Zvaigzdes made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for power forward Julius Jucikas (204-1989, agency: BIG) who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points and 8 rebounds. American point guard John Gillon (183-1994, college: Syracuse) helped adding 18 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was the former international forward Darius Tarvydas (199-1991) with 23 points and British Jordan Williams (203-1995) scored 12 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Five P.Zvaigzdes and four Prienai players scored in double figures. P.Zvaigzdes maintains tenth place with 7-20 record. Loser Prienai stay dead last with 23 lost games. P.Zvaigzdes will meet at home league’s leader Zalgiris in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Prienai will play against Wolves (#3) in Vilnius and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Prienai: D.Tarvydas 23+3reb+2ast, T.Jogela 15+4reb, K.Anderson 12+4reb+4ast, J.Williams 12+9reb+5ast, J.Jogminas 9+5reb, D.Domarkas 8+2reb+2ast
P.Zvaigzdes: J.Gillon 18+2reb+3ast, J.Cunningham 17+1reb+1ast, J.Jucikas 15+8reb+3ast, C.Allen 13+4reb+4ast, I.Vaitkus 10+5reb, E.Saulys 9+4reb