Baskonia makes a life with suspense against Zalgiris
Those of Laso took a forced triumph to opt for the ‘playoffs’ suffering until the last second
MADRID, 6 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Baskonia signed a forced triumph (66-65) this Thursday against Zalgiris Kaunas to keep alive its goal of reaching the ‘Top 10’ of the Euroleague and playing the ‘playoffs’, although they had to suffer until the last second in Fernando Buesa Arena.
The Basque team played with fire but signed its twelfth victory to stay two from the ‘Play-in’ area, before a direct rival, when it has six games left to finish the regular phase. The game was far from being brilliant for both and Markus Howard, with three triples in the last quarter, brought it closer to the locals.
Those of Pablo Laso did not know how to finish off and Zalgiris had two attacks to win the game in the last possession. Chima Moneke’s defense about Francisco, old acquaintances of Baxi Manresa, and Deividas Sirvydis’s ruling gave life to a Baskonia who did not succeed to have a quieter outcome before a very erratic rival.
Those of Laso went to rest with a good booty (38-30) with a triple on the horn of Nikos Rogkavopoulos, with more decision for the rival hoop to at least generate free throws. However, the success shone for its absence, unable to make good level defenses and the much losses of the rival.
The Zalgiris was accommodated in his last wins and even as champion of his cup, but in the Buesa Arena he left a very poor first part. Those of Andrea Trinchieri went to changing rooms with a 1 of 10 in triples, but survived thanks to the rebound, the pending subject to give rhythm to the Basques.
And it is that the game became heavy without continuity in attack or inspired dolls, beyond nine points of Chima Moneke and a brazdeikis that threw visitors in the second quarter. The resumption did not change the script, again little success, although Baskonia matched the rebound without taking advantage of it (48-43).
For the last quarter a Howard was found in fighting this campaign, scoring his first baskets at stake, three triples that seemed to decant the game. Laso wanted to cut Francisco, but Brazdeikis and Smailagic served the Lithuanian comeback that forced the Basques to play it in an infarction ending with Trent Forrest baskets and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.
Data Sheet.
-RESULT: BASKONIA, 66-Zalgiris Kaunas, 65. (38-30, to rest).
-Equipos.
Baskonia: Forrest (6), Luwawu-Cabarrot (7), Sedekerskis (3), Moneke (13) and Diop (2)-Initial Quintet-; Rogkavopoulos (3), Howard (13), Jaramaz (-), Hall (11) and Samanic (8).
Zalgiris Kaunas: Francisco (8), Butkevicius (2), Brazdeikis (17), Smilagic (11) Y Birutis (8)–Quinttet initial–; Dunston (5), Giedraitis (4), Mitchell (-), Sirvydis (1), Wong (4) Y Ulanov (5).
–Parials: 18-12, 20-18, 10-13, 18-22.
–Arbitros: Hordov, Ryzhyk and Cici. Without eliminated.
–Phallon: Buesa Arena.