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Before the match, Vilnius “Rytas” received last season’s second-place awards – a cup and medals. Only five basketball players, Dovis Bičkauskis, Karolis Giedraitis, Martynas Echodas, Mindaugas Girdžiūnas and Arnas Butkevičius, played in last year’s team.
However, in the duel with Juventus, especially in the second half, Vilnius seemed to be playing together for more than the first season.
Demetrius Jackson and Chris McCullough delighted fans with spectacular episodes and powerful passages, but the hosts failed to escape forcefully during the first two halves.
Although the powerful men stood under the Juventus basket – 217 cm tall and 120 kg in weight Mindaugas Kupšas and 204 cm 121 kg Julius Jucikas, “Rytas” won the fight for the balls in the first two halves 29:14 .
Donald Kairis’s students, who had a six-point lead after two halves, settled their issues in the third quarter.
Andrew Goudelock, who flew one shot at a time, provoked the ire of fans, and after the last throw he broke his hand with one of the spectators, and even the 32:16 quarter-winning steam locomotive “Rytas” crawled forward without turning.
VIDEO: Betsafe-LKL match review: Tomorrow – Juventus [2020-09-19]
Rokas Gustis ‘colon raised the hosts’ lead to a record 33 points (87:54). At the end of the duel, the young talent of the team also appeared, the 18-year-old Augustas Marčiulionis, for whom it was his debut for the Rytas team in the official match.
Demetrius Jackson, who was close to triple double, became the most useful player of the match, as in the friendly with Panathinaikos in Athens.
The American scored 18 points (6/10 dvit., 2/3 trit.) In 24 minutes, he bounced 8 and took 1 ball, made 8 assists, made a double error and registered 29 efficiency points.
This basketball player’s throw also marked the symbolic 100-point limit. The basketball players from the capital won the game 106: 77.
“First of all, I want to thank the fans who created a fantastic atmosphere,” Donald Kairys said at the press conference. – One of the joys of working and playing basketball in such an environment. Thanks to them, victory is always for them. About the game itself, I think we fulfilled our plan. Basically, the plan succeeded. We wanted to play at a high pace and a high turnover. We wanted to gain resistance and we did. We have seen that they have traumatized players, less turnover and they are heavier than us. It was logical to play with short attacks and as much as possible ”.
Julius Kalinskas / 15min photo / LKL match: Vilnius “Morning” – Utena “Juventus”
– Where could you improve the team game more?
– You probably know the answer yourself. Everywhere, really everywhere. I know that we will not do all the combinations well because five players did not train for a whole month. Of the ten player rotations I used, five with us is two or a week. I know things won’t be perfect, but we’ll polish this up. We will grind every day, sooner or later we will know the combinations in total. It needs to be added everywhere. And speaking in defense, reading situations, without giving away so many triples. I haven’t seen much where Utena can still hurt us, but she has a lot of good players who shoot three points. We could have caught them better.
– This was Augustas Marčiulionis’ debut in the official match. How are you doing in training and games?
– It works very well. We are very happy to have it. Make progress, you will be a good basketball player. I think all of Lithuania will be able to enjoy their game.
Sigismund Gedvila / 15min photo / Saulius Kulvietis and Donaldas Kairys
– Today we did not see Saulius Kulvietis and on the substitute bench, what is the situation with this basketball player?
– We should probably check with the club, but Saulius will probably no longer be in the team. There are certain injuries that prevent him from starting the season.
– Has Demetrius Jackson lived up to your expectations or is his performance surprising?
– There was no doubt that he is a good basketball player. Perhaps someone has doubts that he has not played in Europe, but he has played everywhere. He was a highly respected NBA scout and was watched by Euroleague teams two years ago. With this information, it was not very difficult to choose exactly. How he works, how he plays, how he strives to train, how he communicates with the coaching staff. Okay, we expect a lot from him. Will there be a triple double this season? Definitely.
– How did Chris McCullough start?
– Chris plays well, better than I expected. The big question was what his state was, if he could play five minutes or ten. He played 20 minutes today. He seemed to be very tired at times, but he played very well. He helps us in training, the lot fills up right away, his hands are full everywhere. That is why we invite you.
Julius Kalinskas / 15min photo / LKL match: Vilnius “Morning” – Utena “Juventus”
– Juventus coach Žydrūnas Urbonas said the match was determined by the individual mastery of Andrew Goudelock. Do you agree that Andrew was a key factor?
– I think the whole team, because the whole team worked together. He made those shots when something didn’t get us into attack. It must have been Andrew Goudelock to throw such a pitch, he did. But really, it was the merit of the whole team. All players are important, everyone is fun, everyone can play and help.
– Karolis Giedraitis was not registered in the match, will it not be rented?
– I think it would be logical. He works very well in training, I think he likes it a lot, he’s talented and creative. But there are 200 minutes on the court, and in his position we have players who will definitely play against him. It would make sense if he could find another team. I think that’s what they talk about and coordinate.
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