The drama from the beginning to the end was what Monday’s match in the Lithuanian basketball league (Betsafe-LKL) looked like. They are on their way to Klaipeda’s Neptune (10/13) 87:84 (21:22, 24:23, 22:17, 20:22) managed to break Šiauliai-7bet (12/10).
Neptūnas scored more three-pointers (33) than two-pointers (26) in this match, and realized 13 long throws and 17 two-pointers.
“Neptūnas” started the match powerfully and broke up 13: 4, however, before the end of the quarter, the people of Šiauliai were already breathing in their backs and finally weighed the result – 22:21. Martynas Varnas scored 8 points in a row for his team, but received a response from the rivals, while Neptūnas led 39:35 after Tomas Leimanis’ three-point foul. Isaiah Armwood tried to pull forward the people of Šiauliai, who did not outweigh the result, but went on a break, at least in the case of equality – 45:45.
Arminas Urbutis managed to score 11 points and even 21 utility points in 13 minutes, and Noah Mineikis went on a long break after setting his career record at Betsafe-LKL – 15 points (5/9 trit.).
After the break, the fight was equal until David Gailius spoke – 59:50. He, together with Ben Griciūnas and Martynas Mažeika, allowed Neptūnas to keep ahead – 67:62. Although Giedrius Staniulis scored important points at the beginning of the fourth quarter, D. Gailius started the three-point – 70:64. M.Varnas ‘attempts to mitigate the result were also repelled, and after M.Mažeika’s and D.Gailius’ shots “Neptūnas” gained a two-digit advantage – 77:67. The difference started to stabilize, the control of the match seemed to be in the hands of Klaipeda (79:71), until Eimantas Stankevičius – 74:79.
Martynas Varnas and A.Urbutis only increased the intrigue (79:83), and finally a series of free throws followed, which Šiauliai-7bet did not use properly.
Paulius Danusevičius and Donatas Sabeckis hit only one fine each, I. Armwood – both, and J. Elmore – again – 84:85. Ž. Janavičius, whose hand shook once (86:84), also stopped throwing, while there were 23 seconds left to play. Šiauliai-7bet did not attack, although they had a chance from under the basket, and M. Mažeika’s free throw consolidated the victory for Neptūnas – 87:84. Elmore’s three-pointer ran past the country at the end.
N.Mineikis’ new career performance record at Betsafe-LKL is 17 points. A.Urbutis played the most effective match of the season and scored 19 points, rebounded 7 balls and collected 34 utility points.
Šiauliai-7bet: Martynas Varnas 20, Arminas Urbutis 19 (7 sec.), Jonathan Elmore 16 (3/9 trit.), Isaiah Armwood 9 (7/7 pun.), Donatas Sabeckis 7 (6 rep.), 6 res., 1/6 trit.).
Neptune: Deividas Gailius 19 (8th rev., 5 res.), Benas Griciūnas (7/8 dit.) And Nojus Mineikis (5/10 trit.) – 17 each, Matas Jogėla 15, Martynas Mažeika 7.
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