Photo: EuroLeague Basketball

Žalgiris took the last-minute victory with a score of 71-74 against ALBA Berlin in the German capital and extended its winning streak to five games.

With this win, Žalgiris has 10-7 after round 17, while ALBA with one game less (the game from round 5 against Baskonia will be played on the 5th of January) has the 6-10 score.

The German team faced Žalgiris without a head coach Aito Reneses Garcia, who was tested positive for COVID-19. Besides, ALBA will have to see if the injury Luke Sikma suffered nine minutes before the end of the game is serious or not. Sikma left the game with a leg injury and didn’t return.

In the first 19 minutes of the match guests from Kaunas didn’t score any three-pointers and till the end only hit 5 (from 15 attempts). The host ALBA Berlin wasn’t much better in that segment. The team hit 6 from 19 attempts.

ALBA had 9 against 8 steals collected by Žalgiris, while both teams committed 16 turnovers. The only difference is that the guest turned ALBA‘s turnovers into 18 points and the home team only had 12 points thanks to turnovers of the opponent.

Nigel Hayes hit 18 points for the Žalgiris, while Joffrey Lauvergne collected 16 and 7 rebounds. Marius Grigonis added 12 points.

On the other side, Simone Fontecchio scored 14 points. Injured Luke Sikma added 11, as much as other two teammates – Niels Giffey and Tim Schneider.

Game recap