Euroleague, Zalgiris Kaunas Virtus Bologna 68-65: highlights

Virtus Bologna began very nicely, bought caught at distance and succumbed within the remaining on the Zalgirio Area in Kaunas: the second defeat for Hackett and his team-mates, who can not construct on final week’s success towards Bayern Munich Munich A wonderful first quarter steadily deteriorated by one poor proportion from the road (55.6%, 10/18), dominance of the Lithuanians in rebounding (38-30) and poor offensive choices within the remaining. The group stays 2 factors from the classification, reached by Zalgiris himself.

The historical past of the occasion

Mickey’s three-point play to open the sport is just the start of Bologna’s dominance within the first quarter. As standard, the Black Vs make quite a lot of baskets within the paint, but in addition discover fluidity within the exterior capturing, particularly with Hackett. The double-digit lead comes on a 3-pointer by Mickey (9-19). The Zalgiris look able to recovering with the contribution of the successors, nevertheless Weems affect from the bench Bolognese is simply as productive: 16-24 after the primary 10 minutes.

Virtus quantity 34 is sizzling and in the beginning of the second interval it stays one of the best offensive reference for the company. Additionally, Teodosic’s early spells appear to be a blow for the hosts. Ulanova’s ‘early baskets and Evans’ journey to the rim nevertheless, they permit Zalgiris to not solely keep on monitor, but in addition to knock some factors off a Bologna slowed down in assault for the primary time with Hackett and Teodosic on the bench. To keep away from a transparent method of the Lithuanians are two extraordinary Mickey Islands and a remaining basket from the wonderful Weems: 31-38 within the lengthy vary.

In contrast to the primary quarter, Zalgiris approaches the second half higher: an 11-3 half-time is definitely worth the first benefit of the Lithuanians (42-43), good for exploiting the bodily power within the space of ​​the Latvian middle Rolands Smits. The sport is shedding its spectacularity and turning into an increasing number of of a scramble, with assaults struggling to construct clear photographs. The hosts feast on painted Bolognese, however on the opposite aspect is Milos Theodosic: triple and help for Cordinier that’s value 52-53 with 10 left.

The argument of the match not modifications: solely the Serbian goalkeeper, who has to return to the bench to handle his situation, is the one one able to overturning the assault of Virtus. Zalgiris, then again, can not at all times experience Smits resulting from foul issues: the results are modifications of picture, errors on the sector and rebound wars, the place Bologna suffers quite a bit with Mickey from the middle. With anemic assaults, the few objectives scored make the distinction: Lundberg extends to +5 (60-65), however Zalgiris didn’t hand over and dragged by Brazdeikis reached 66-65 with 12 seconds left. Scariolo trusts Teodosic, however solely manages a three-pointer that misses the iron and two dangerous turnovers within the remaining seconds. The ultimate sentences.

Zalgiri: Brazdeikis 14, Smits 13

Bologna: Weems 15, Jaiteh, Mickey 9

Scariolo’s statements on the finish of the match

The Virtus coach commented on the defeat after the ultimate siren: “The basketball took a decrease tone than the bodily battle, the true predominant side of the sport. Sadly we nonetheless lag behind when it comes to group consistency “.