Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 28 in the NKL took place in Jurbarkas. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of their biggest opponent Palanga (19-6) to third ranked Jurbarkas (20-7) 86-84 in the game for the second place. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Palanga. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Strangely Palanga outrebounded Jurbarkas 44-30 including 30 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Gintautas Matulis (196-1986) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 7 rebounds. Paulius Beliavicius (196-1988) contributed with 17 points and 4 assists (made all of his seven free throws) for the winners. Forward Julius Kazakauskas (196-1990) replied with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists for Palanga. Jurbarkas moved-up to second place. Palanga at the other side dropped to the third position with six games lost. Jurbarkas are looking forward to face Stekas (#10) in Vilnius in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Palanga will play at home against Zalgiris II (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Jurbarkas. Sixth ranked Zalgiris II (17-10) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 3rd ranked Jurbarkas (20-7) 82-80 on Tuesday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Mantas Juzenas (199-2006) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Aleksas Bieliauskas who added 15 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Paulius Beliavicius (196-1988) responded with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Zalgiris II have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 17-10 record. Jurbarkas at the other side dropped to the second place with seven games lost. Zalgiris II will play against higher ranked Palanga (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Jurbarkas will play against Stekas in Vilnius and hopes to get back on the winning track.
NKL top team – Telsiai (21-7) added another victory to their record on Thursday. This time they beat eleventh ranked Silute (11-17) 86-80. The winners were led by Martynas Gecevicius who scored that evening 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 21 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists by Tomas Lekunas did not help to save the game for Silute. Telsiai have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 21-7 record. Silute lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 17 games lost. Telsiai will meet at home Vilkaviskis (#5) in the next round. Silute will play against Kretinga (#15) and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 28 were not that significant. Kretinga smashed Alytus on the road 80-61. Neptunas-Akv. won against Omega-Tauras on its own court 87-81. Stekas unfortunately lost to Vilkaviskis in a road game 82-89. Vytis rolled over Delikatesas at home 100-79. Suduva-Mantinga was defeated by Zalgiris II on the opponent’s court 88-71. P.Olimpas was beaten by Rytas 2 in a home game 75-87. Vytis destroyed Rytas 2 on the road 99-80.

Alytus – Kretinga 61-80

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when fifteenth ranked Kretinga (8-20) crushed on the road 14th ranked Alytus (9-19) 80-61 on Thursday. Kretinga had a 35-23 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The winners were led by center Rytis Zabita (199-1994) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds and center Tadas Budrys (205-2002) supported him with 16 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Even a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds by Gabrielius Mazeika (206-2003, agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for Alytus. American point guard Robert Waters-Johnson (185-1993, college: Wayland Baptist) added 11 points and 5 assists for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kretinga maintains fifteenth position with 8-20 record. Alytus lost eighth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the fourteenth place with 19 games lost. Kretinga will meet at home higher ranked Silute (#11) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Alytus will play against Omega-Tauras and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Alytus: J.Culver 13+2reb+1ast, R.Waters-Johnson 11+2reb+5ast, G.Mazeika 10+10reb+1ast, M.Pocevicius 9+3reb+1ast, L.Kazlauskas 6+7reb, G.Bumblys 6+4reb+2ast
Kretinga: T.Budrys 16+8reb+1ast, R.Zabita 14+10reb+1ast, G.Macionis 10+5reb+3ast, K.Sapiega 8+3reb+4ast, E.Danys 7+1reb+2ast, J.Warren 7+3reb+1ast

gschID: 1217078

Neptunas-Akv. – Omega-Tauras 87-81

There was a minor upset when 6th ranked Omega-Tauras (16-11) lost to ninth ranked Neptunas-Akv. (15-12) in Klaipeda 81-87 on Thursday. Strangely Omega-Tauras outrebounded Neptunas-Akv. 39-27 including 16 on the offensive glass. The winners were led by guard Ernestas Jonkus (187-1999, agency: BIG) who scored that evening 15 points and 9 assists and Lebanese forward Karim Rtail (203-2004) supported him with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Even a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) by Robert Subotkevic (203-1998) did not help to save the game for Omega-Tauras. Center Ignas Juskevicius (200-1991) added 22 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Omega-Tauras’ coach Giedrius Kurtinaitis rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Neptunas-Akv. maintains ninth position with 15-12 record. Newly promoted Omega-Tauras dropped to the seventh place with 11 games lost. Neptunas-Akv. will meet bottom-ranked Delikatesas (#16) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Omega-Tauras will play against Alytus (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Omega-Tauras: R.Subotkevic 26+10reb+3ast, I.Juskevicius 22+9reb+2ast, S.Vasiliauskas 9+2reb+7ast, S.Sliogeris 8+3reb+1ast, P.Karasov 7+3reb+1ast, K.Vizgirdas 6+4reb
Neptunas-Akv.: E.Jonkus 15+2reb+9ast, K.Rtail 14+9reb, R.Kneizys 13+1reb+4ast, R.Maciulis 9+1reb, K.Metrikis 8+3reb+1ast, L.Mikalauskas 8+3reb

gschID: 1217079

Silute – Telsiai 80-86

NKL top team – Telsiai (21-7) added another victory to their record on Thursday. This time they beat eleventh ranked Silute (11-17) 86-80. Telsiai outrebounded Silute 35-22 including 26 on the defensive glass. The winners were led by the former international guard Martynas Gecevicius (193-1988) who scored that evening 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and center Lukas Valantinas (205-2001) supported him with 21 points and 9 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Even 21 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists by forward Tomas Lekunas (200-1993) did not help to save the game for Silute. American point guard Fred Cleveland Jr (175, college: NCCU) added 23 points for lost side. Telsiai have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 21-7 record. Silute lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 17 games lost. Telsiai will meet at home Vilkaviskis (#5) in the next round. Silute will play against Kretinga (#15) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Silute: F.Cleveland Jr. 23+3reb+2ast, T.Lekunas 21+7reb+8ast, B.Etienne 14+3reb+2ast, V.Prokopenko 6+2reb+1ast, L.Balkunas 6, Y.Balaban 5+4reb
Telsiai: M.Gecevicius 23+5reb+4ast, L.Valantinas 21+9reb, G.Lesciauskas 14+6reb+1ast, R.Jakstas 8+3reb+1ast, N.Radzius 7+2reb+2ast, L.Kaveckis 5+1reb

gschID: 1217080

Vilkaviskis – Stekas 89-82

Very predictable result when fifth ranked Vilkaviskis (18-10) won against at home 10th ranked Stekas (12-16) 89-82 on Thursday. Vilkaviskis looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Stekas‘ players. The winners were led by Modestas Zaunieriunas (189-1994) who scored that evening 21 points and Rokas Stankevicius (202-1995, agency: BIG) supported him with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Vilkaviskis players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 29 points and 15 rebounds by the former international forward Darius Tarvydas (199-1991) did not help to save the game for Stekas. French point guard Christopher Tsamas (180, college: E.Wyoming) added 21 points for lost side. Vilkaviskis moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Vytis. Loser Stekas keeps the tenth position with 16 games lost. Vilkaviskis will meet league’s leader Telsiai on the road in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Stekas will play against the league’s second-placed Jurbarkas (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Stekas: D.Tarvydas 29+15reb, C.Tsamas 21+3reb+1ast, P.Semaska 12+3reb+4ast, M.Serksnas 8+1reb+1ast, W.Ouatongo 5+1ast, V.Cepukaitis 4+5reb+1ast
Vilkaviskis: M.Zaunieriunas 21+4reb+3ast, R.Stankevicius 18+5reb+4ast, N.Vaivada 13+3reb+7ast, M.Zukauskas 10+3reb+4ast, R.Pocius 9+2reb, T.Pazarauskas 9+3reb+4ast

gschID: 1217081

Vytis – Delikatesas 100-79

Not a big story in a game when 16th ranked Delikatesas (1-27) was outscored by fourth ranked Vytis (18-10) in Sakiai 100-79 on Thursday. Vytis shot the lights out from three sinking 18 long-distance shots on high 52.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The winners were led by Gabrielius Celka (198-2001) who scored that evening 21 points and 7 rebounds and Rokas Jocys (195-2004, college: Manhattan) supported him with 23 points and 4 assists. Four Vytis players scored in double figures. Even 17 points and 7 rebounds by Tomas Balciunas (204-2000) did not help to save the game for Delikatesas. Ronaldas Rutkauskas (203-1992) added 9 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Vytis maintains fourth position with 18-10 record, which they share with Vilkaviskis. Delikatesas lost fourteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 27 lost games. Vytis will meet Rytas 2 (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Delikatesas will play against Neptunas-Akv. (#9) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Delikatesas: T.Balciunas 17+7reb+1ast, R.Norutis 13+4reb, K.Miller 11+2reb+3ast, D.Sarauskas 10+2reb+2ast, R.Rutkauskas 9+8reb+2ast, D.Jackson 7+3reb+3ast
Vytis: R.Jocys 23+4ast, G.Celka 21+7reb+1ast, E.Dziaugys 15+2reb+5ast, A.Mikstas 11+6reb+2ast, J.Rubinas 11+2ast, A.Adomavicius 6+3reb+3ast

gschID: 1217082

Zalgiris II – Suduva-Mantinga 88-71

Everything went according to plan when sixth ranked Zalgiris II (17-10) defeated 8th ranked Suduva-Mantinga (16-12) in Kaunas 88-71 on Thursday. Zalgiris II made 24-of-25 free shots (96.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by forward Mantas Juzenas (199-2006) who scored that evening 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists (made all of his seven free throws) and swingman Dovydas Buika (197-2007) supported him with 13 points and 6 assists. Five Zalgiris II players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) by Aurelijus Pukelis (205-1994) did not help to save the game for Suduva-Mantinga. Point guard Martynas Zigmantavicius (187-1996) added 12 points and 4 assists for lost side. Suduva-Mantinga’s coach Tomas Gaidamavicius rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Zalgiris II have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 17-10 record. Loser Suduva-Mantinga keeps the eighth place with 12 games lost. Zalgiris II will meet higher ranked Palanga (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Suduva-Mantinga will play against P.Olimpas (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Suduva-Mantinga: A.Pukelis 26+10reb+1ast, M.Zigmantavicius 12+1reb+4ast, V.Sulskis 9+4reb, T.Kliucinykas 6+1reb+1ast, D.Vilys 5+2reb+2ast, Z.Simonis 4+3reb+3ast
Zalgiris II: M.Juzenas 22+6reb+5ast, A.Bieliauskas 15+5reb+1ast, D.Buika 13+4reb+6ast, M.Laurencikas 12+2reb+3ast, N.Raupelis 11+3reb+1ast, J.Rudaitis 7+3reb+2ast

gschID: 1217083

Jurbarkas – Palanga 86-84

gschID: 1217084

P.Olimpas – Rytas 2 75-87

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 13th ranked P.Olimpas‘ (10-20) home loss to twelfth ranked Rytas 2 (11-18) in Plunge 75-87 on Thursday. The winners were led by forward Danielius Kasparas (202-2004, agency: BIG) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds and forward Gabrielius Jokubauskas (195-2006) supported him with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Even a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) by American forward Taeshon Cherry (203-1999, college: Marian, IN, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) did not help to save the game for P.Olimpas. His fellow American import swingman Jared Small (201-1997, college: CMU) added 18 points for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rytas 2 maintains twelfth position with 11-18 record. Newly promoted P.Olimpas keeps the thirteenth place with 20 games lost. Rytas 2 will meet at home higher ranked Vytis (#4) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. P.Olimpas will play against Suduva-Mantinga (#8) in Marijampole and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
P.Olimpas: T.Cherry 18+11reb, J.Small 18+3reb+2ast, E.Narusevicius 8+4reb, R.Kreismontas 7+1reb+1ast, V.Daniels 7+3reb, M.Jurkaitis 7+1reb+3ast
Rytas 2: D.Kasparas 22+10reb, N.Kuliesa 11+1reb+1ast, N.Stuknys 10+2reb+6ast, I.Urbonas 9+1reb, G.Jokubauskas 9+7reb+4ast, A.Rimkus 8+5reb+3ast

gschID: 1217085

Rytas 2 – Vytis 80-99

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Vytis (18-10) crushed 12th ranked Rytas 2 (11-18) in Vilnius 99-80 on Tuesday. Vytis looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The winners were led by Augustinas Mikstas (203-2001, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored that evening 18 points and 5 rebounds and point guard Deividas Kumelis (188-1995) supported him with 7 points, 10 assists and 4 steals. Even 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by guard Nikas Stuknys (199-2005) did not help to save the game for Rytas 2. Forward Gabrielius Jokubauskas (195-2006) added 14 points and 5 assists for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Vytis maintains fourth position with 18-10 record, which they share with Vilkaviskis. Loser Rytas 2 keeps the twelfth place with 18 games lost. Vytis’ supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Sakiai .
Top scorers:
Rytas 2: G.Jokubauskas 14+2reb+5ast, A.Pocius 12+2reb, N.Stuknys 12+5reb+6ast, D.Kasparas 11+2reb+2ast, I.Urbonas 7+4reb+1ast, A.Rimkus 6+1reb+1ast
Vytis: R.Jocys 18+2ast, A.Mikstas 18+5reb, J.Rubinas 12+3reb+5ast, G.Celka 12+3reb+5ast, A.Adomavicius 12+4reb+2ast, D.Kumelis 7+4reb+10ast

gschID: 1247570

Jurbarkas – Zalgiris II 80-82

Important game to mention about took place in Jurbarkas. Sixth ranked Zalgiris II (17-10) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 3rd ranked Jurbarkas (20-7) 82-80 on Tuesday evening. It was a great shooting night for Zalgiris II especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.9 percentage. Jurbarkas was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Mantas Juzenas (199-2006) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and center Aleksas Bieliauskas (206-2005) who added 15 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Four Zalgiris II players scored in double figures. At the losing side Paulius Beliavicius (196-1988) responded with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and power forward Karolis Guscikas (206-1992, agency: BIG) scored 17 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Zalgiris II have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 17-10 record. Jurbarkas at the other side dropped to the second place with seven games lost. Zalgiris II will play against higher ranked Palanga (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Jurbarkas will play against Stekas in Vilnius and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Jurbarkas: P.Beliavicius 20+5reb+5ast, K.Guscikas 17+3reb+2ast, G.Matulis 11+5reb+1ast, K.Kokoska 9+5reb+1ast, A.Kavaliauskas 8+1reb+4ast, E.Dimsa 6+3reb
Zalgiris II: M.Juzenas 18+5reb+4ast, A.Bieliauskas 15+9reb, D.Daubaris 13+2reb+4ast, J.Rudaitis 11+5reb, D.Buika 7+2reb+6ast, N.Raupelis 7+2reb