By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Blowing out the game in the third quarter, Lithuania strolled past Montenegro, 90-73. Elsewhere in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Group K, Hungary claimed the win, 82-79, against the Czech Republic on the road Saturday.
Playing at Zalgirio Arena, the team coached by Kazys Maksvytis, who is also the play-caller of Zalgiris, dropped 32 points in the third period turning a close game into a walk in the park. Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings paved the way with 15 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists en route to the game-high efficiency rating of 24. Fellow NBA big man and captain, Jonas Valanciunas posted a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double. Panathinaikos OPAP newcomer Marius Grigonis logged a team-high 16 points as his side improved to 7-1 in the group.
After the game, Maksvytis announced Gytis Masiulis of Rytas as the final cut essentially forming the 2022 EuroBasket 12-man squad.
Lithuania’s selections:
Ignas Brazdeikis (Zalgiris)
Artnas Butkevicius (Zalgiris)
Martynas Echodas (Rytas)
Rokas Giedraitis (Cazoo Baskonia)
Marius Grigonis (Panathinaikos OPAP)
Rokas Jokubaitis (FC Barcelona)
Mindaugas Kuzminskas
Lukas Lekavicius (Zalgiris)
Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)
Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans Pelicans)
Kristupas Zemaitis (BC Wolves)
Eigirdas Zukauskas (BC Wolves)
On the losing end, Marko Simonovic of the Chicago Bulls ended up with 13 points, five rebounds, three steals, and one assist. Naturalized point guard Kendrick Perry, set up to play with Basketball Champions League outfit Unicaja this season, got to 21 points for Montenegro.
The tight contest held in Rocknet Arena of Chomutov, Hungary was led by Real Madrid’s Adam Hanga posting a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double to go along with five assists. London Lions’ Vojtech Hruban went for 26 points but missed the late screamer and the opportunity to force overtime. The hosts missing both Tomas Satoransky and Vit Krejci certainly did not help.
Backed with the win, Stojan Ivkovic’s side reduced the distance from a top-three spot and a berth in the World Cup to one game, at 4-4 and 5-3, respectively. The Czechs dropped to 3-5.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL