By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris strolled past Rytas, 97-79, for a 29th straight win in the Betsafe LKL Regular Season.
Starting point guard Sylvain Francisco paved the way with 16 points, nine assists, three rebounds, and one steal. Ignas Brazdeikis threw in 16 more points. Providing effective shooting off the bench, Matt Mitchell and ex-Rytas star Deividas Sirvydis added 15 and 14 points. Putting in 12 points, Alen Smailagic emerged as a fight double-double digit scorer.
Behind the latest sold-out crowd in Zalgirio Arena, the team coached by Andrea Trinchieri quickly jumped into a double-digit lead and later peaked at a 23-point distance. The defending champions reduced the deficit to 12 points in the third period, using a smaller lineup, but fell shy of presenting a threat. Despite a game-high 20 points recorded by RJ Cole, a nine-game winning streak was snapped.
Lukas Lekavicius remained sidelined for Zalgiris and expected to sit out the rest of the 2024-25 journey, but the remaining players from both sides were available. Heading to the Playoffs of the top-flight division of Lithuania, the Kaunas and Vilnius outfits were already placed first and second on the postseason bracket. Eighth-seeded Neptunas and seventh-seeded Siauliai-Casino Admiral, respectively, are confirmed as opponents in the Quarterfinals.
In Twinsbet Arena later Sunday, Wolves Twinsbet edged out CBet, 91-87. With one game left before the postseason, both sides are 19-16, tied with 7bet-Lietkabelis in third place of the standings.
STANDINGS: Zalgiris 33-2, Rytas 28-7, 7bet-Lietkabelis 19-16, CBet 19-16, Wolves Twinsbet 19-16…