By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Markus Howard and Chima Moneke scored 13 points each, and Donta Hall added 11; however, in the end, it was a defensive play by Moneke that helped Baskonia survive.
On the other side, Deividas Sirvydis missed the chance to be a hero with his last shot, finishing the night with just one point, as Zalgiris got the close 66-65 win.
Baskonia, which has lost more games than its share on the last possesion this season, got a 12-16 record and still has a fighting chance for the post season, while Zalgiris dropped to 13-15, losing crucial ground on the same race and staying in the 13th position of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings.
Ignas Brazdeikis, with 17 points, was the best player of the losing side, and as coach Andrea Trinchieri said: “We played the best possible game, we build a great opportunity to win the game and one possession was missing”.
A thriller until the end
It was all about defense in the first half, with the home side leading 18-12 after the first quarter and by eight at halftime (38-30). Zalgiris tied the score at 25 but didn’t have enough firepower with just one made out of 10 three-pointers and more turnovers (9) than assists (7).
The game was already a dogfight, and the trend continued in the third period, with Zalgiris trimming the lead to one point (44-43) after four points by newcomer Isaiah Wong.
Still, Baskonia held on and closed the period leading by five (48-43). The battle continued, and thanks to Brazdeikis, Zalgiris got the 62-61 lead with three minutes left.
Markus Howard answered back with a three (64-62), Alen Smailagic gave the lead back to Zalgiris (65-64), Trent Forrest missed entering the last minute, Edgaras Ulanovas did the same amd with 19 seconds left Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot gave the lead back to the home side (66-65).
With the game on the line, Chima Moneke blocked Fransisco, but Zalgiris still had the ball and 4.4 seconds. Deividas Sirvydis got the ball, he missed, and the game was over.
PHOTO CREDIT: EuroLeague
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