By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Jonas Valanciunas scored 15 points each as Lithuania grabbed its second victory in a row (78 – 76) against Spain during the prep period before the Olympic Games.
The Lithuanian national team also received much help from Renaldas Seibutis who added 13 points and some key baskets near the end. Marius Grigonis and Paulius Jankunas dropped 9 and 7 points respectively.
For Sergio Scariolo’s squad, Sergio Llull (12 points), Nikola Mirotic (11 points, 8 rebounds) and Pau Gasol (10 points) scored in double-digit numbers.
The “Martin Carpena” arena in Malaga was packed for Pau Gasol’s debut game this summer with the Spanish national team but their Lithuanian guests kinda spoiled the party by putting their plans into action successfully during the second half.
Although the Spanish national team had a blasting entrance in the match, making it 20 – 6, seven minutes into the game, the Lithuanians quickly showed that they didn’t travel to Malaga in order to become a punching bag, recovering well enough to balance the scales at halftime (39 – 39).
Coach Kazlauskas players gained the upper hand in the second half holding a steady lead until Sergio Rodriguez fired a shot from downtown to make 69 – 69 with less than three minutes to go. Valanciunas and Kuzminskas pulled a 0-5 run that gave their team the edge down the stretch.