The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams’ position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
Mazeikiai – Rytas 63-89
LKL top team – Rytas (24-5) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Mazeikiai (13-15) 89-63. Rytas outrebounded Mazeikiai 48-34 including a 37-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Rytas looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Mazeikiai’s players. American guard Marcus Foster (191-1995, college: Creighton) stepped up and scored 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and the former international center Martynas Echodas (206-1997) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots). American point guard Chauncey Collins (185-1995, college: TCU) responded with 19 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rytas maintains first place with 24-5 record. Mazeikiai lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the seventh position with 15 games lost. Rytas are looking forward to face Jonava (#8) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Mazeikiai will play against the league’s second-placed Zalgiris in Kaunas and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Juventus – Siauliai 96-93
Ninth-ranked Siauliai (8-21) gave a tough game to fifth ranked Juventus (16-11) in Utena. Juventus managed to secure only three-point victory 96-93. However their fans expected much easier game. Guard Evaldas Saulys (191-1993, agency: Octagon Europe) nailed 24 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and American guard TJ Starks (188-1998, college: CSUN) accounted for 17 points and 5 assists. American guard LJ Thorpe (196-1999, college: UNC Asheville, agency: Worldwide SM) came up with 19 points and 4 assists and Daniel Baslyk (198-2001, agency: Octagon Europe) added 18 points respectively for Siauliai in the defeat. Five Juventus and four Siauliai players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Juventus moved-up to fourth place. Siauliai at the other side dropped to the tenth position with 21 games lost. Juventus will play against Lietkabelis (#6) in Panevezys in the next round. Siauliai will play on the road against Gargzdu (#12) in Gargzdai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Neptunas – Nevezis 79-92
An interesting game took place in Klaipeda where higher ranked Neptunas (16-13) was upset on its own court by ninth ranked Nevezis (9-20) 92-79 on Monday. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Neptunas. Nevezis made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Neptunas 39-26 including 26 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Israeli point guard Amit Ebo (180-1999) who scored 22 points and 7 assists. American guard Courtney Ramey (190-1999, college: Arizona) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international guard Mindaugas Girdziunas (188-1989) produced 24 points…
