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The CSKA Moscow team probably did not expect such a difficult fight in Lithuania. Kaunas “Žalgiris” fierce defense recently allowed all rivals – Real Madrid, Tel Aviv’s Maccabi or Prienai’s CBet – to rack up a ton of points, but Dimitri Itoudis’s troops had to sweat all they needed to win on the Island Nemunas.
It was a strange match. Without protection, because the match took place without spectators, without the anthem of the Republic of Lithuania before the start of the match, because it was the fans who started this national anthem.
Although at the beginning of the duel it seemed that the same song of the last weeks was going to be sung in the “Žalgiris” arena – Martin Schiller’s army before the duel with CSKA was the Euroleague team with the most points in the first quarter ( average 21.8), and the Russian giant did not move away – in the first ten minutes the Verdiblancos discounted 26.
Schiller, predictable until then, brought news in this duel. For the first time this season, veteran Paulius Jankūnas started in the top five, and in third place we saw Nigel Hayes for the first time this season.
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If CSKA’s most productive player (average 17.3 points) Will Clyburn was stopped, scored 10 points, then the main star of the Moscow team, Mike James, was unstoppable. When CSKA stopped, it was this American who dragged her.
The player scored 27 points (3/5 doubles, 5/6 trit., 6/6 penalties) in 26 minutes, had 5 assists and scored 32 utility points. Especially this season.
Rokas Jokubaitis looked great on Tuesday night, after a three-week break due to COVID-19 infection, he stepped onto the Euroleague parquet and burned with impressive energy.
The young player dismantled CSKA’s defensive barricades, especially in the third quarter, alongside Augustine Rubit’s gun from mid-range. The Žalgiris settlers managed to erase the 15-point deficit in the second half.
“Žalgiris” was stopped for quick fouls – A. Rubitas and Martin Geben violated the rules four times in 7 minutes, and Marius Grigonis was fouled in 16 minutes.
Rokas Jokubaitis won a mark shot from a medium distance, Will Clyburnas responded with a strong three-point pass through the hands of A. Rubitas, but R. Jokubaitis responded with two precise penalty shots. 2 minutes before the end of the match, “Žalgiris” was just a shot away.
Captain P.Jankūnas, who is carrying an impressive backpack of experience, provoked a foul in the fight under the CSKA basket, threw fines, thus supporting Armenians To the wall.
But then M. James pulled out the superman suit, fighting A. Rubitas, who was useful to him, and stabbed another distant bomb in the fight. “Žalgiris” did not attack and the CSKA star secured the victory.
In the game marked as a failure, “Žalgiris” showed a great blow: the goal was reached by 50 percent. colon, 52.6 percent. three points and 90 percent. fines.
“I want to congratulate my team,” said CSKA coach Dimitris Itoudis at the press conference. – We played very well, we showed a strong character in defense, we followed the plan. We had to change our defensive strategies, because Žalgiris changed both the top five and the game. We have caused a lot of mistakes and we keep sticking our defensive identity, which is very necessary and important for us. We made a mistake 9 times and took 7 balls. This is also a good result. Both Žalgiris and we made strong pitches today. Today we lost the fight for the balls, but Will and Mike made big shots. It is important and fun. We knew it would be difficult because “Žalgiris” lost a lot in Tel Aviv. They wanted to show that this was not his true face. They proved it. We have three away games this week and we started the week with a win. “
Eriko Ovcharenko / 15min nuotr./Rungtynių akimirka
– Which five of “Žalgiris” was the most dangerous?
– I could not highlight one five because there were different difficulties. There were times when Lekavičius managed the team well, Walkup made long shots, our double help allowed others to hit, like Nigel Hayes. We had to change the defensive strategy according to the Žalgiris five. They played intensely and fighting. Congratulations to them. At the end of the duel, they also deserved the victory.
– What tactical changes did you see in the game “Žalgiris”?
– “Žalgiris” really has a strategy. The coaching staff is doing a great job, obviously. They share the ball, we had to work very hard on that. We had to adapt to the attack of “Žalgiris”, they often pass the ball from hand to hand or make shortcuts. It was an interesting match from a tactical point of view. Sometimes it happens that the team can cross you. In Tel Aviv, Maccabi played very well and hit everything. But this is the Euroleague. They have a good strategy. We can see it in both wins and losses. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
– Mike James scored 22 of 42 CSKA points after a long break. When he plays this way, can they stop him?
– I hope not! He played very well from the beginning. When Mike and Daniel Hackett defend themselves in this way, they set an example for others to be followed by their teammates. Mike has exceptional abilities: he can create, complete attacks and defend. We were very fighting, we were all fighting. Playing hard, training hard, and being competitive is a different story. You have to play hard in the Euroleague. If you don’t play hard, you can’t play here. Today we were competitive.
– Rokas Jokubaitis played very well today. What impression does it leave?
– It is not easy to return after COVID-19. Its potential is enormous, it is obvious. Another impressive talent from Lithuanian basketball cuisine. Congratulations to him.
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