Derby weekend in Betsafe LKL: Zalgiris domination

Betsafe LKL is back live after a short national team break. This weekend it was all about derbies. Repetition of last seasons finals and bronze medal games – Zalgiris Kaunas versus Rytas Vilnius and Neptunas Klaipeda went up against Lietkabelis Panevezys.

Also, one battle in the lower half of the table between Pieno Zvaigzdes Pasvalys and Siauliai. Siauliai started the season badly – 7 losses in a row. 2 wins in a row brought back the belief in the team but Pieno Zvaigzdes were simply better.

5 wins in 6 games for Pasvalys and team. Miraculous performance from Edgaras Zelionis led Pieno Zvaigzdes to a 87:64 win at home.

Now about the battle in Klaipeda.

A lot of talk about money and changing of the squad were the main topics when talking about Neptunas last summer. This season is not one of their best so far. Klaipeda team does not have their main point guard Zygimantas Janavicius due to injury problems.

Young and hungry was the main strategy but now we can call it inexperience. 3 wins and 7 losses with the latter coming against Lietkabelis Panevezys.

Neptunas were leading for the most of the game but in the crunch time Lietkabelis were the better ones. Gytis Masiulis, former Neptunas player, put up a 28 efficiency worthy performance to help Lietkabelis win 90:80 on away territory.

Derby in Kaunas had a different feel this time around. Rytas came to Zalgirio arena with only 7 healthy first team players to compete against Zalgiris. Ryan Boatright, Maurice Ndour, Andrew Goudelock, Arnas Butkevicius and Rokas Gustys were unavailable for this game.

Vilnius team had to call two junior team members Adas Simonis and Rokas Jocius for extra manpower.

While Zalgiris is still without Patricio Garino but all other squad members were in combat. Kaunas celebrated once more – 92:45 win at home. Zalgiris now holds the biggest win against Rytas Vilnius in the whole league history. Previous record was 100:58 Rytas Vilnius win in 2009 Betsafe LKL finals.

Betsafe LKL is back after 2 days. Three matches are held on Tuesday and one on Wednesday.