Zalgiris Kaunas added one more defeat to Barca’s blues

2017-02-02T21:57:17+00:00 2017-02-02T22:01:20+00:00.

Aris Barkas

02/Feb/17 21:57

Eurohoops.net

Zalgiris Kaunas got its 9th win and should be considered a legitimate playoffs contender after the 21st round of EuroLeague’s regular season, while Barcelona is still in crisis

By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net

The Lithuanians got the 89-85 win thanks to an amazing game by Lukas Lekavicious and Edgaras Ulanovas who had 17 points each, captain Paulius Jankunas added 15 and Arturas Milankins had 14 as the local talent made the difference.

Despite a good 24-18 start by Barcelona, the hosts had a 39-38 half-time lead and the score was tied entering the last quarter (61-61). Barcelona got a 74-73 lead after a shot by Juan Carlos Navarro with 4,5 minutes left on the clock, but a 7-0 run in the next 90 seconds followd, Zalgiris got a 6 points cushion (80-74) and it was enough.

Justin Doellman managed to cut the lead to two points (85-83) with 17 seconds left, Petteri Koponen did the same 7 seconds later (87-85) after two free throws by Jankunas and finally Leo Westermann sealed the win of Zalgiris with two more free throws.

Navarro finished the game with 17 points, Koponen and Tyrese Rice scored 12, but defense once again was an issue, specially on crunch time as Barcelona has now a 8-13 record.

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