Zalgiris found motivation and energy to defeat Lietuvos Rytas in the first meeting of the two clubs in Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). The Greens are not living their best times these days but they were better than their opponents right from the start.
Gintaras Krapikas, head coach of Zalgiris received serious criticism after the game vs Panathinaikos but the win against Rytas will give him some confidence.
Willie Deane and Sarunas Vasiliauskas were unavailable for Zalgiris. Though the team found other players who stepped up successfully.
Lietuvos Rytas players were not getting into the game. They made too many turnovers letting Zalgiris punish them in fast breaks. Rytas's leaders Chuck Eidson and Mindaugas Lukauskis were in a bad shape too.
The visitors looked more motivated and had 11-point lead at the half time. Although Lietuvos Rytas made a run in the third quarter, they were unable to keep the pace as Zalgiris regained their lead again.
Zalgiris didn't let their advantage to slip away in the end and celebrated 75-64 the first win against arch rivals this season.
64 – Lietuvos Rytas (20+7+22+15): Marijonas Petravicius 18, Branko Milisavljevic 18, Justas Sinica 14, Milko Bjelica 9, Chuck Eidson 5.
75 – Zalgiris (26+12+17+20): Dainius Salenga 21, Mantas Kalnietis 18, Jonas Maciulis 15, Loren Woods 11, Paulius Jankunas 6, Eurelijus Zukauskas 2, Arturas Milaknis 2.
