Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
Fourth-ranked Juventus (10-9) was very close to win a game against first ranked Zalgiris (17-2) in Kaunas on Sunday. Zalgiris managed to secure only three-point victory 84-81. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Juventus. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Zalgiris made 8 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Serbian power forward Alen Smailagic (208-2000) who helped to win the game recording 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks. French point guard Sylvain Francisco (185-1997) contributed with 11 points and 7 assists for the winners. International Laurynas Beliauskas (194-1997) answered with 21 points and 4 assists for Juventus. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Zalgiris have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with 17-2 record. Juventus at the other side keeps the fourth position with nine games lost. Zalgiris are looking forward to face league’s second-placed Rytas in Vilnius in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Juventus will play at home against Lietkabelis and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Ninth-ranked Nevezis (5-14) was very close to win a game against second ranked Rytas (16-3) in Vilnius. Rytas managed to secure only one-point victory 99-98. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nevezis. It was a great evening for international Gytis Radzevicius (197-1995) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 7 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!). Margiris Normantas helped adding 16 points. At the losing side American forward Ed Croswell (203-1999, college: Providence) responded with 21 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Rytas. Defending champion maintains second place with 16-3 record behind leader Zalgiris. Nevezis at the other side keeps the ninth position with 14 games lost. Rytas will play against league’s leader Zalgiris in Kaunas in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nevezis will play at home against Neptunas (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Wolves (11-7) against fifth ranked Jonava (9-10) on Saturday night. Visiting Wolves was defeated by Jonava in a tough game in Jonava 77-81. It was an exceptional evening for Simas Jarumbauskas who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds. Garrison Brooks came up with 15 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for Wolves in the defeat. Wolves’ coach Alessandro Magro rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Jonava maintains fifth place with 9-10 record, which they share with Lietkabelis. Wolves lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the third position with seven games lost. Jonava will meet Siauliai (#7) on the road in the next round. Wolves will play against Mazeikiai (#10) and hope to secure a win.
In the last two games of round 19 Siauliai smashed Mazeikiai on the road 102-74. Neptunas was destroyed by Lietkabelis on its own court 72-91.
The most impressive performance of 19th round was 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists by Paulius Danusevicius of Lietkabelis.
Mazeikiai – Siauliai 74-102
No shocking result in a game when eighth ranked Siauliai (7-11) crushed on the road bottom-ranked Mazeikiai (3-16) 102-74 on Sunday. Siauliai made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. Siauliai outrebounded Mazeikiai 42-23 including a 33-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Siauliai shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American Gerry Blakes (193-1993, college: Arizona St., agency: BIG) who led the winners and scored 21 points and 5 assists. Guard Marius Valinskas (187-1999) accounted for 13 points and 6 assists for the winning side. Center Tomas Zdanavicius (204-1996, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with 11 points and 6 rebounds and American center Sukhmail Mathon (208-1998, college: Boston U.) added 13 points respectively for Mazeikiai in the defeat. Five Siauliai and four Mazeikiai players scored in double figures. Mazeikiai’s coach Virginijus Seskus gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Siauliai moved-up to seventh place. Mazeikiai lost their fourth game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Siauliai will meet at home higher ranked Jonava (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mazeikiai will play against Wolves (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Mazeikiai: S.Mathon 13+4reb+1ast, C.Collins 12+2reb+2ast, N.Mineikis 11+1reb+1ast, T.Zdanavicius 11+6reb+1ast, D.Fenner 10+3reb+2ast, A.Urkis 8+5reb+1ast
Siauliai: G.Blakes 21+2reb+5ast, M.Valinskas 13+3reb+6ast, L.Uleckas 11+5reb, E.Stankevicius 11+6reb+1ast, D.Romancenko 11+3reb, T.Jogela 10+4reb+5ast
gschID: 1191259
Rytas – Nevezis 99-98
Ninth-ranked Nevezis (5-14) was very close to win a game against second ranked Rytas (16-3) in Vilnius. Rytas managed to secure only one-point victory 99-98. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nevezis. Rytas made 31-of-40 charity shots (77.5 percent) during the game. Nevezis was plagued by 29 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for international Gytis Radzevicius (197-1995) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 7 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!). The former international Margiris Normantas (194-1996) helped adding 16 points. At the losing side American forward Ed Croswell (203-1999, college: Providence) responded with 21 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) and Israeli point guard Amit Ebo (180-1999) scored 17 points and 7 assists. Four Nevezis players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Rytas. Defending champion maintains second place with 16-3 record behind leader Zalgiris. Nevezis at the other side keeps the ninth position with 14 games lost. Rytas will play against league’s leader Zalgiris in Kaunas in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nevezis will play at home against Neptunas (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nevezis: E.Croswell 21+7reb+1ast, J.Girard III 20+2reb+2ast, A.Ebo 17+2reb+7ast, D.Doualla 12+2reb+1ast, J.Zakas 8+1reb+2ast, V.Kozys 5+3reb
Rytas: G.Radzevicius 23+7reb+3ast, M.Normantas 16+4reb+2ast, I.Sargiunas 9+6reb+1ast, O.Pleikys 8+2reb, M.Paliukenas 8+3reb+4ast, G.Masiulis 7+5reb+1ast
gschID: 1191260
Jonava – Wolves 81-77
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Wolves (11-7) against fifth ranked Jonava (9-10) on Saturday night. Visiting Wolves was defeated by Jonava in a tough game in Jonava 77-81. It was an exceptional evening for Simas Jarumbauskas (198-2000, agency: BIG) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds. American point guard Brandon Childress (183-1997, college: Wake Forest) accounted for 25 points for the winning side. American center Garrison Brooks (208-1999, college: MSU) came up with 15 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and the other American import point guard Anthony Cowan Jr (183-1997, college: Maryland) added 17 points and 4 assists respectively for Wolves in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Wolves’ coach Alessandro Magro rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Jonava maintains fifth place with 9-10 record, which they share with Lietkabelis. Wolves lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the third position with seven games lost. Jonava will meet Siauliai (#7) on the road in the next round. Wolves will play against Mazeikiai (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Wolves: A.Cowan Jr. 17+1reb+4ast, G.Brooks 15+8reb+2ast, K.Zemaitis 13+3reb+1ast, A.Kulboka 11+5reb, T.Thurman 8+5reb+1ast, J.Marcinkevicius 4+1reb
Jonava: B.Childress 25+3reb+1ast, S.Jarumbauskas 17+12reb, D.Brewton 15+5reb+2ast, E.Venskus 13+3ast, M.Kirves 4+4reb+2ast, B.Bliznyuk 3+4reb+3ast
gschID: 1191261
Zalgiris – Juventus 84-81
Fourth-ranked Juventus (10-9) was very close to win a game against first ranked Zalgiris (17-2) in Kaunas on Sunday. Zalgiris managed to secure only three-point victory 84-81. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Juventus. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Zalgiris made 8 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Serbian power forward Alen Smailagic (208-2000) who helped to win the game recording 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks. French point guard Sylvain Francisco (185-1997) contributed with 11 points and 7 assists for the winners. International Laurynas Beliauskas (194-1997) answered with 21 points and 4 assists and American forward Dominic Green (198-1997, college: Washington) added 17 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Juventus. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Zalgiris have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with 17-2 record. Juventus at the other side keeps the fourth position with nine games lost. Zalgiris are looking forward to face league’s second-placed Rytas in Vilnius in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Juventus will play at home against Lietkabelis and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Juventus: L.Beliauskas 21+1reb+4ast, D.Green 17+5reb+3ast, S.Beniusis 16+3reb+1ast, L.Thorpe 14+7reb+4ast, E.Sederevicius 5+1reb, A.Toro 3+6reb+1ast
Zalgiris: A.Smailagic 19+5reb, S.Francisco 11+3reb+7ast, D.Sirvydis 11+7reb+3ast, D.Giedraitis 11+6reb, I.Wong 10, L.Birutis 8
gschID: 1191262
Neptunas – Lietkabelis 72-91
The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Neptunas‘ (7-12) home loss to sixth ranked Lietkabelis (9-10) in Klaipeda 72-91 on Sunday. Lietkabelis dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Neptunas‘ 24. They outrebounded Neptunas 43-21 including a 16-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Lietkabelis looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Neptunas‘ players. It was an exceptional evening for the former international Paulius Danusevicius (205-2001) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Ukrainian point guard Oleksandr Kovliar (191-2002) accounted for 12 points and 9 assists for the winning side. American guard Desure Buie (182-1997, college: Hofstra) came up with 13 points and the other American import point guard Nate Johnson (193-1998, college: Xavier) added 14 points respectively for Neptunas in the defeat. Five Lietkabelis and four Neptunas players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Lietkabelis moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Jonava. Loser Neptunas dropped to the eighth position with 12 games lost. Lietkabelis will meet higher ranked Juventus (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Neptunas will play against Nevezis (#9) in Kedainiai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Neptunas: N.Johnson 14+1reb, D.Buie 13+3reb+3ast, D.Gailius 12+1reb, M.Girdziunas 11+1reb+2ast, Z.Waterman 9+5reb, M.Hesson 5+3reb+2ast
Lietkabelis: M.Varnas 18+4reb, P.Danusevicius 17+10reb+4ast, D.Gagic 15+1reb, O.Kovliar 12+4reb+9ast, G.Maldunas 11+8reb+3ast, G.Kalaitzakis 6+4reb+1ast
gschID: 1191263
