By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With the teams combining for 5/35 three-pointers, Zalgiris Kaunas limited Real Madrid to 18 points in the second half to secure the win, 68-47, Thursday evening.
In the poor shooting night, Edgaras Ulanovas recorded 15 points, including ten in the final quarter of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 27. Lukas Lekavicius, Josh Nebo, and Joffrey Lauvergne threw in ten more points each.
“We played a good game at home. We built a lead, so a little bit less pressure,” Ulanovas commented on his fourth-quarter burst, “When you hit a couple of shots, it gets better and better.”
Zalgiris was on the wrong end in 22 out of the previous 25 encounters with Los Blancos this century.
“Our defense was the key for sure,” stated Lekavicius after helping to hold the team based in Spain’s capital to an all-time low scoring night in Europe’s premier club continental competition, “We are still last in EuroLeague. So, every win is very important for us. We are fighting like crazy against every team. We are trying to win every game.”
“We stuck together, believed, and were calm. When you are calm, your head is more clear, and also my players gave me this present,” added Jure Zdovc, “It was a great night.”
Thanks to the second win in a row, Zalgiris jumped to 5-19. Mantas Kalnietis (ankle) was sidelined. After joining the Lithuania national team, Regimantas Miniotas was out as well. For the Whites, Thomas Heurtel sat out along with Fabien Causeur (hip) and Rudy Fernandez (thigh).
Except for early in the first quarter, Pablo Laso’s side trailed to the recently-crowned Citadele KMT champion and defending Lithuania champion. Walter Tavares producing a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double was not enough at Zalgiris Arena.
“We were not able to compete from the beginning. We lacked toughness and energy. When we came back a little bit in the third quarter, we did not his shots at all,” noted Laso after his side fell to 20-6 with a third straight loss, “Our percentages were terrible, we made bad decisions and they played with a lot of energy.”
Former player of both teams, Jonas Maciulis was honored between the first and second quarter.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net