Zalgiris vs. Tau Ceramica - ShowGame - Welcome to EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL

June 19, 2013

Regular Season Game 7 - December 06, 2007 CET: 19:15 Local time: 20:15 - S.DARIUS AND S.GIRENAS SPORT CENTER

Zalgiris 95 - 92 Tau Ceramica

REGULAR SEASON, GAME 7

GROUP A

GROUP B

GROUP C

Records

Ave.		Ave.
0-0	Final Four	0-0
0-0	Playoffs	0-0
0-0	Top 16	0-0
2-4	Regular Season	4-2
2-4	Overall	4-2

Referees

Crew Chief

PITSILKAS, NIKOLAOS, Greece

Referee

BELOSEVIC, ILIJA, Serbia

Umpire

VIATOR, EDDIE, France

Team Stats

Ave.		Ave.
76.0	Points	85.7
35.0	Rebounds	35.3
11.0	O. Rebounds	11.2
24.0	D. Rebounds	24.2
13.7	Assists	13.8
9.2	Steals	8.0
1.7	Blocks	2.0
16.7	Turnovers	13.5
57.1 %	2PT	56.6 %
28.9 %	3PT	38.9 %
75.4 %	FT	68.5 %
82.0	Index	91.3

Team Stats - Zalgiris

Team Stats - Tau Ceramica

Player Stats

Ave.		Ave.
11.8 / COLLINS, DeJUAN	Points	16.7 / Rakocevic
6.3 / JURAK, GORAN	Rebounds	8.0 / TELETOVIC, MIRZA
1.8 / Jankunas	OR	2.8 / TELETOVIC, MIRZA
4.8 / JURAK, GORAN	DR	5.2 / TELETOVIC, MIRZA
5.0 / COLLINS, DeJUAN	Assists	3.3 / PRIGIONI, PABLO
1.8 / COLLINS, DeJUAN	Steals	1.7 / PRIGIONI, PABLO
1.4 / ZUKAUSKAS, EURELIJUS	Blocks	0.7 / SPLITTER, TIAGO
3.0 / COLLINS, DeJUAN	Turnovers	2.7 / Rakocevic
69.2 % / Salenga	2PT	64.1 % / Rakocevic
39.4 % / Popovic	3PT	60.0 % / Vidal
100.0 % / BROWN, MARCUS	FT	91.7 % / PRIGIONI, PABLO
18.5 / COLLINS, DeJUAN	Index	16.0 / SPLITTER, TIAGO

Team Roster - Zalgiris

Team Roster - Tau Ceramica

THE TAKE

Zalgiris hosts Tau Ceramica on Thursday in Kaunas, Lithuania, in a Group A matchup. The Lithuanian champs enter the game looking to end a two-game slide, but can be consoled by the fact the team team is still perfect at home this season. On the other hand, Tau, tied for second place in the group with a 2-4 record, looks to bounce back after seeing its Euroleague-record home-court winning streak snapped last week by CSKA Moscow. The game features the top two rebounding sides in the Euroleague and could accordingly be decided by the play of the big men. For the hosts, Michael Bradley will make his home debut, teaming with Eurelijus Zukauskas, Paulius Jankunas and Goran Jurak, among others, to form a formidable frontcourt. On the other hand, Tiago Splitter and Mirza Teletovic lead a packet Tau frontline with Will McDonald and Linton Johnson. With rebounds and inside opportunities at a premium, the playmakers will be called upon to make things happen. Zalgiris can rely on DeJuan Collins, who leads the league in assists, although with five players averaging at least 2 turnovers per game the squad also leads the league in turnovers. Tau counters with a crisp passing game organized by Pablo Prigioni and Zoran Planinic. Prigioni's defense could also be a headache for Collins, though with the Euroleague's all-time leading scorer, Marcus Brown, as well as Marko Popovic helping out, Zalgiris has the talent to contend with Prigioni, last season's Euroleague top scorer, Igor Rakocevic and Planinic. Pete Mickeal and sharpshooter Simas Jasaitis share time at small forward for Tau,where they'll square off against Dainius Salenga and Jonas Maciulis. Perhaps Zalgiris's biggest weakness is its lack of consistent three-point shooting – the team is second to last in the league in three-point shooting at 28.9% and doesn't have a single player shooting above 40%. That could give Tau an advantage in preparing its defense, though with veterans like Brown and Popovic, Zalgiris could heat up on any night. Meanwhile Zalgiris's depth inside could allow it to try and exploit Tau's poor free throw shooting, particularly among its inside player – Splitter, MacDonald and Mickeal are a combined 41 for 69 (59.4%) from the line. Either way the winning team will need to get some production from its big men, any of whom can change the game with a big night in this game which could be a big momentum builder for the winning side. Wednesday, December 05, 2007 Euroleague.net

Zalgiris hosts Tau Ceramica on Thursday in Kaunas, Lithuania, in a Group A matchup. The Lithuanian champs enter the game looking to end a two-game slide, but can be consoled by the fact the team team is still perfect at home this season. On the other hand, Tau, tied for second place in the group with a 2-4 record, looks to bounce back after seeing its Euroleague-record home-court winning streak snapped last week by CSKA Moscow. The game features the top two rebounding sides in the Euroleague and could accordingly be decided by the play of the big men. For the hosts, Michael Bradley will make his home debut, teaming with Eurelijus Zukauskas, Paulius Jankunas and Goran Jurak, among others, to form a formidable frontcourt. On the other hand, Tiago Splitter and Mirza Teletovic lead a packet Tau frontline with Will McDonald and Linton Johnson. With rebounds and inside opportunities at a premium, the playmakers will be called upon to make things happen. Zalgiris can rely on DeJuan Collins, who leads the league in assists, although with five players averaging at least 2 turnovers per game the squad also leads the league in turnovers. Tau counters with a crisp passing game organized by Pablo Prigioni and Zoran Planinic. Prigioni's defense could also be a headache for Collins, though with the Euroleague's all-time leading scorer, Marcus Brown, as well as Marko Popovic helping out, Zalgiris has the talent to contend with Prigioni, last season's Euroleague top scorer, Igor Rakocevic and Planinic. Pete Mickeal and sharpshooter Simas Jasaitis share time at small forward for Tau,where they'll square off against Dainius Salenga and Jonas Maciulis. Perhaps Zalgiris's biggest weakness is its lack of consistent three-point shooting – the team is second to last in the league in three-point shooting at 28.9% and doesn't have a single player shooting above 40%. That could give Tau an advantage in preparing its defense, though with veterans like Brown and Popovic, Zalgiris could heat up on any night. Meanwhile Zalgiris's depth inside could allow it to try and exploit Tau's poor free throw shooting, particularly among its inside player – Splitter, MacDonald and Mickeal are a combined 41 for 69 (59.4%) from the line. Either way the winning team will need to get some production from its big men, any of whom can change the game with a big night in this game which could be a big momentum builder for the winning side.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Euroleague.net

Quotes Head Coaches

GRIGAS, RIMANTAS Zalgiris "Tau Ceramica is a well-built team, that has strong players at every position from point guard to center. Tiago Splitter is very aggressive in the paint, Igor Rakocevic is great shooter, Mirza Teletovic is a strong player, who can hit the outside shot. Furthermore, coach Neven Spahija knows a lot about Zalgiris, as he led Lietuvos Rytas against Zalgiris in the Lithuanian League finals two seasons ago. That’s an advantage for him. But we have players who helped us with information about opponents as well. We will be playing at home after two away losses and we have to compete. The key to winning should be stopping their executions and defending actively."

GRIGAS, RIMANTAS

Zalgiris

"Tau Ceramica is a well-built team, that has strong players at every position from point guard to center. Tiago Splitter is very aggressive in the paint, Igor Rakocevic is great shooter, Mirza Teletovic is a strong player, who can hit the outside shot. Furthermore, coach Neven Spahija knows a lot about Zalgiris, as he led Lietuvos Rytas against Zalgiris in the Lithuanian League finals two seasons ago. That’s an advantage for him. But we have players who helped us with information about opponents as well. We will be playing at home after two away losses and we have to compete. The key to winning should be stopping their executions and defending actively."

SPAHIJA, NEVEN Tau Ceramica "I won't change my philosophy because of a defeat or a win. The most important thing is to work seriously, and to try to prevent defeats from influencing us. Of course I don't like to lose, but I don't like to cry either. The coaching staff met early this week to start preparing for the next game in Kaunas. The most important thing is the will of the players and their desire to improve and to get into the place they have to be as soon as possible. We can improve for the next Euroleague game, I think it will be a tough game because Zalgiris plays better at home. It's the same as Olimpija. They are both at the same level, who show different faces depending if they play on the road or at home, but we always prepare the games in the same way. No matter if we play as a host or as a visitor. I think that Jankunas's injury is not important, we could see it in the last game we played against CSKA; they came with four healthy players and they beat us."

SPAHIJA, NEVEN

Tau Ceramica

"I won't change my philosophy because of a defeat or a win. The most important thing is to work seriously, and to try to prevent defeats from influencing us. Of course I don't like to lose, but I don't like to cry either. The coaching staff met early this week to start preparing for the next game in Kaunas. The most important thing is the will of the players and their desire to improve and to get into the place they have to be as soon as possible. We can improve for the next Euroleague game, I think it will be a tough game because Zalgiris plays better at home. It's the same as Olimpija. They are both at the same level, who show different faces depending if they play on the road or at home, but we always prepare the games in the same way. No matter if we play as a host or as a visitor. I think that Jankunas's injury is not important, we could see it in the last game we played against CSKA; they came with four healthy players and they beat us."

Players

COLLINS, DeJUAN Zalgiris "We’ve had two tough losses on the road, but in one of them we had a real chance to win. It’s true that we are like two different teams at home and on the road. At home we play way better, more focused, more comfortable. Now we will have two home games in a row and we have to take care of business here. Their advantage is a strong frontcourt – Will McDonald and Tiago Splitter. I think on the guards we are evenly matched. We have to get stops on defense and control the boards in order to achieve victory. It’s time for us get back on track and establish ourselves in Euroleague."

COLLINS, DeJUAN

Zalgiris

"We’ve had two tough losses on the road, but in one of them we had a real chance to win. It’s true that we are like two different teams at home and on the road. At home we play way better, more focused, more comfortable. Now we will have two home games in a row and we have to take care of business here. Their advantage is a strong frontcourt – Will McDonald and Tiago Splitter. I think on the guards we are evenly matched. We have to get stops on defense and control the boards in order to achieve victory. It’s time for us get back on track and establish ourselves in Euroleague."

JASAITIS, SIMAS Tau Ceramica "I'm really pleased with this trip, although we are not going to my home city, Vilnius, but I'm sure that I will be able to meet my relatives and old friends. I don't know how Zalgiris fans will receive me, as I stayed for five seasons in Lietuvos Rytas and there is a big rivalry between these two teams. I don't expect anything bad. I know that some people maybe will shout at me at the game, but it's normal. It would be the same in the opposite way, if any former Zalgiris player goes to play in Vilnius. Zalgiris's court is one of the hottest one I ever played in. It's a small court and its fans are really hot and crazy. They put a lot of pressure on the visiting team and also on the referees. It's really difficult to play there but we will give our best to win."

JASAITIS, SIMAS

Tau Ceramica

"I'm really pleased with this trip, although we are not going to my home city, Vilnius, but I'm sure that I will be able to meet my relatives and old friends. I don't know how Zalgiris fans will receive me, as I stayed for five seasons in Lietuvos Rytas and there is a big rivalry between these two teams. I don't expect anything bad. I know that some people maybe will shout at me at the game, but it's normal. It would be the same in the opposite way, if any former Zalgiris player goes to play in Vilnius. Zalgiris's court is one of the hottest one I ever played in. It's a small court and its fans are really hot and crazy. They put a lot of pressure on the visiting team and also on the referees. It's really difficult to play there but we will give our best to win."

To close the first half of the regular season, Zalgiris sent a message that echoed all around Group A by taking out Tau Ceramica 95-92 at home in Kaunas, Lithuania on Thursday. Zalgiris improved to 3-4 and holds fifth place in the group, just a victory behind Tau and Olympiacos, tied for the third place with 4-3 records. Marcus Brown led the winners with 27 points while hitting all 6 of his three-point tries, including back-to-back bombs and critical free throws in the final 2 minutes. Marko Popovic added 18 points for Zalgiris, making 11 of 11 free throws, while Jonas Maciulis chipped in 11 and Michael Bradley 10 for the winners. Zoran Planinic and Igor Rakocevic each had 18 points for Tau Ceramica. Tiago Splitter added 16 and 8 rebounds, Will McDonald got 13 points while Pablo Prigioni dished 8 assists for the guests. At the end of a long back-and-forth struggle, Popovic and Bradley stepped up for Zalgiris before Brown's consecutive three-pointers were worth a 93-85 Zalgiris lead. Splitter and Rakocevic got Tau back within striking distance of the lead, but Planinic missed 1 of 2 free throws to make it 93-92 before Brown made both of his at the foul line. Rakocevic got off a game-tying three-point attempt at the other end, but missed, to the delight of the Zalgiris home fans. Big man Eurelijus Zukauskas dunked to get Zalgiris going, but soon Linton Johnson scored in close and Planinic raced fullcourt with a steal for a 2-4 Tau advantage. Zukauskas responded with a bank shot that Splitter matched at the other end before Rakocevic buried a corner triple to keep Tau ahead, 4-9. Brown quickly answered with a jumper but Simas Jasaitis scored from downtown and Planinic added an electric driving layup to make Zalgiris call timeout at 6-14. The hosts came out pressing fullcourt and got the ball to Zukauskas again for a layup-plus-free throw, but Splitter kept dominating the boards while Planinic made a sensational driving layup. Now rebounding better, Zalgiris also found a go-to guy in Brown, who scored 9 unanswered points a pair of bombs from downtown and an incredible three-point play, drawing the hosts within 18-16. Tau needed a timeout now, after which Splitter beat the 2-3 zone of Zalgiris with a reverse layup. Mantas Kalnietis hit a free throw but Pete Mickeal answered with a triple and McDonald a layup to help Tau regain a 19-23 edge after 10 minutes. Maciulis started the second quarter with his first points, a layup-plus-free throw combo, to which Kalnietis added a wild driving layup that put Zalgiris back ahead, 24-23. Tau struggled against the Zalgiriz zone until McDonald hit a turnaround jumper, but Bradley scored inside and fed Paulius Jankunas to keep the hosts ahead 28-25. Tau kept going to McDonald, while Marko Popovic followed free throws with a floating layup to force the visitors to use a timeout at 32-27. Mirza Teletovic stepped up with a triple then for Tau, and despite Bradley's put-back dunk, McDonald and Rakocevic, with a three-pointer, forced a 35-35 tie. McDonald made free throws to put Tau ahead again and Teletovic hit a jump hook to make it 36-39, but Zalgiris kept working. Free throws by Jankunas, Collins and Maciulis offset those of Pablo Prigioni and a corner triple by Jasaitis. Brown went to the line and forced another tie, but a buzzer-beating layup by Rakocevic let Tau in front again, 46-48, at halftime. Zalgiris came out from the break defending well and used an acrobatic shot by Collins for a new tie, 48-48. Tau's offense moved slower now and its shooters were off-target until Rakocevic hit free throws. Next, Maciulis exchanged driving baskets with Rakocevic before Brown's big triple from downtown gave Zalgiris a 53-52 edge. Rakocevic answered with another layup but free throws by Jankunas and Bradley kept Zalgiris up by 56-54. Jasaitis sat with his fourth foul, but Planinic took over for Tau with a driving layup that made it 58-56. Zukauskas scored in the middle while Popovic made free throws to give Zalgiris a six-point lead, 62-56. Planinic scored again in penetration and even though Maciulis dunk, Planinic hit a big triple to get Tau within 64-61. Rakocevic made free throws to bring the guests even closer, 64-63, after 30 minutes. Goran Jurak scored in penetration right at the start of the fourth quarter but McDonald bettered it with a three-point play to tie again at 66-66. Popovic scored in penetration and followed Planinic's layup with free throws to put Zalgiris back ahead, 70-68. McDonald stepped up with a power basket but Maciulis and a red-hot Popovic gave Zalgiris a 75-70 lead. Planinic scored again but Bradley answered with a second-chance basket. Prigioni hit free throws and even when Popovic answered from downtown, Teletovic copied him for an 80-77 scoreboard. Brown, however, joined the three-point shootout, putting Zalgiris up 83-77, and provoking a timeout by Tau. Splitter answered the call with a jump hook and inside layup, but Jurak's put-back and free throws by Bradley kept Zalgiris ahead, 87-81. Splitter scored again but an outstanding Brown was ready to decide the matter: he beat the shot clock with a seven-meter bomb, came down and scored again from long-range for a sudden 93-85 Zalgiris margin. Tau was not done, however. Splitter and Rakocevic poured in 6 quick points to get the guests as close as 93-91 with 1:11 to go. After Jurak missed a three-point shot, Zukauskas had a critical block on Splitter. But when Collins missed for Zalgiris, Planinic drew a foul with 9.4 seconds remaining. He missed his first attempt, however, and Brown did not miss either of his foul shots a second later, making it 95-92 score with 8.7 seconds to go. Tau called timeout and got the inbounds pass to Rakocevic, but his miss from downtown meant a major win for Zalgiris. Thursday, December 06, 2007 Euroleague.net

To close the first half of the regular season, Zalgiris sent a message that echoed all around Group A by taking out Tau Ceramica 95-92 at home in Kaunas, Lithuania on Thursday. Zalgiris improved to 3-4 and holds fifth place in the group, just a victory behind Tau and Olympiacos, tied for the third place with 4-3 records. Marcus Brown led the winners with 27 points while hitting all 6 of his three-point tries, including back-to-back bombs and critical free throws in the final 2 minutes. Marko Popovic added 18 points for Zalgiris, making 11 of 11 free throws, while Jonas Maciulis chipped in 11 and Michael Bradley 10 for the winners. Zoran Planinic and Igor Rakocevic each had 18 points for Tau Ceramica. Tiago Splitter added 16 and 8 rebounds, Will McDonald got 13 points while Pablo Prigioni dished 8 assists for the guests. At the end of a long back-and-forth struggle, Popovic and Bradley stepped up for Zalgiris before Brown's consecutive three-pointers were worth a 93-85 Zalgiris lead. Splitter and Rakocevic got Tau back within striking distance of the lead, but Planinic missed 1 of 2 free throws to make it 93-92 before Brown made both of his at the foul line. Rakocevic got off a game-tying three-point attempt at the other end, but missed, to the delight of the Zalgiris home fans.

Big man Eurelijus Zukauskas dunked to get Zalgiris going, but soon Linton Johnson scored in close and Planinic raced fullcourt with a steal for a 2-4 Tau advantage. Zukauskas responded with a bank shot that Splitter matched at the other end before Rakocevic buried a corner triple to keep Tau ahead, 4-9. Brown quickly answered with a jumper but Simas Jasaitis scored from downtown and Planinic added an electric driving layup to make Zalgiris call timeout at 6-14. The hosts came out pressing fullcourt and got the ball to Zukauskas again for a layup-plus-free throw, but Splitter kept dominating the boards while Planinic made a sensational driving layup. Now rebounding better, Zalgiris also found a go-to guy in Brown, who scored 9 unanswered points a pair of bombs from downtown and an incredible three-point play, drawing the hosts within 18-16. Tau needed a timeout now, after which Splitter beat the 2-3 zone of Zalgiris with a reverse layup. Mantas Kalnietis hit a free throw but Pete Mickeal answered with a triple and McDonald a layup to help Tau regain a 19-23 edge after 10 minutes.

Igor Rakocevic - Tau Ceramica

Maciulis started the second quarter with his first points, a layup-plus-free throw combo, to which Kalnietis added a wild driving layup that put Zalgiris back ahead, 24-23. Tau struggled against the Zalgiriz zone until McDonald hit a turnaround jumper, but Bradley scored inside and fed Paulius Jankunas to keep the hosts ahead 28-25. Tau kept going to McDonald, while Marko Popovic followed free throws with a floating layup to force the visitors to use a timeout at 32-27. Mirza Teletovic stepped up with a triple then for Tau, and despite Bradley's put-back dunk, McDonald and Rakocevic, with a three-pointer, forced a 35-35 tie. McDonald made free throws to put Tau ahead again and Teletovic hit a jump hook to make it 36-39, but Zalgiris kept working. Free throws by Jankunas, Collins and Maciulis offset those of Pablo Prigioni and a corner triple by Jasaitis. Brown went to the line and forced another tie, but a buzzer-beating layup by Rakocevic let Tau in front again, 46-48, at halftime.

Zalgiris came out from the break defending well and used an acrobatic shot by Collins for a new tie, 48-48. Tau's offense moved slower now and its shooters were off-target until Rakocevic hit free throws. Next, Maciulis exchanged driving baskets with Rakocevic before Brown's big triple from downtown gave Zalgiris a 53-52 edge. Rakocevic answered with another layup but free throws by Jankunas and Bradley kept Zalgiris up by 56-54. Jasaitis sat with his fourth foul, but Planinic took over for Tau with a driving layup that made it 58-56. Zukauskas scored in the middle while Popovic made free throws to give Zalgiris a six-point lead, 62-56. Planinic scored again in penetration and even though Maciulis dunk, Planinic hit a big triple to get Tau within 64-61. Rakocevic made free throws to bring the guests even closer, 64-63, after 30 minutes.

Goran Jurak scored in penetration right at the start of the fourth quarter but McDonald bettered it with a three-point play to tie again at 66-66. Popovic scored in penetration and followed Planinic's layup with free throws to put Zalgiris back ahead, 70-68. McDonald stepped up with a power basket but Maciulis and a red-hot Popovic gave Zalgiris a 75-70 lead. Planinic scored again but Bradley answered with a second-chance basket. Prigioni hit free throws and even when Popovic answered from downtown, Teletovic copied him for an 80-77 scoreboard. Brown, however, joined the three-point shootout, putting Zalgiris up 83-77, and provoking a timeout by Tau. Splitter answered the call with a jump hook and inside layup, but Jurak's put-back and free throws by Bradley kept Zalgiris ahead, 87-81. Splitter scored again but an outstanding Brown was ready to decide the matter: he beat the shot clock with a seven-meter bomb, came down and scored again from long-range for a sudden 93-85 Zalgiris margin. Tau was not done, however. Splitter and Rakocevic poured in 6 quick points to get the guests as close as 93-91 with 1:11 to go. After Jurak missed a three-point shot, Zukauskas had a critical block on Splitter. But when Collins missed for Zalgiris, Planinic drew a foul with 9.4 seconds remaining. He missed his first attempt, however, and Brown did not miss either of his foul shots a second later, making it 95-92 score with 8.7 seconds to go. Tau called timeout and got the inbounds pass to Rakocevic, but his miss from downtown meant a major win for Zalgiris.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Euroleague.net

Referees: PITSILKAS, NIKOLAOS (GRE), BELOSEVIC, ILIJA (SRB), VIATOR, EDDIE (FRA)

Attendance: 5000

By Quarter	1	2	3	4
Zalgiris	19	27	18	31
Tau Ceramica	23	25	15	29

End of Quarter	1	2	3	4
Zalgiris	19	46	64	95
Tau Ceramica	23	48	63	92

Head coach: GRIGAS, RIMANTAS

Zalgiris
#	Player	Min	Pts	2FG M-A	3FG M-A	FT M-A	Rebounds			As	St	To	Bl		Fouls		PIR
#	Player	Min	Pts	2FG M-A	3FG M-A	FT M-A	O	D	T	As	St	To	Fv	Ag	Cm	Rv	PIR
4	JURAK, GORAN	15:36	4	2/4	0/3		3	3	6	2					2	1	6
5	BROWN, MARCUS	30:28	27	2/4	6/6	5/5		2	2		1	3			2	4	27
8	MACIULIS, JONAS	34:31	11	4/5	0/3	3/4		2	2	1	2	2			3	3	9
9	KALNIETIS, MANTAS	7:49	4	1/2	0/1	2/4	1		1	1					1	2	3
10	SALENGA, DAINIUS	5:35	1	0/1		1/2		1	1							1	1
11	ZUKAUSKAS, EURELIJUS	20:54	9	4/4		1/1	1	5	6	1		2	3		5	2	14
12	MILAKNIS, ARTURAS	DNP	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
13	JANKUNAS, PAULIUS	23:17	5	1/3	0/1	3/6	2	5	7	1	1	1			3	6	10
14	MOTIEJUNAS, DONATAS	DNP	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
24	POPOVIC, MARKO	20:10	18	2/5	1/3	11/11	1	2	3	3	1				3	4	21
33	BRADLEY, MICHAEL	18:56	10	3/5	0/1	4/4	3	5	8	1		1	1	1	5	3	13
41	COLLINS, DeJUAN	22:44	6	2/3	0/3	2/2	1		1	4		3				2	6
	Team										1						1
	Totals	200:00	95	21/36	7/21	32/39	12	25	37	14	6	12	4	1	24	28	111
				58.3%	33.3%	82.1%

Min: Minutes played; Pts: Points; 2FG M-A: 2-point Field Goals (Made-Attempted); 3FG M-A: 3-point Field Goals (Made-Attempted); FT M-A: Free Throws (Made-Attempted); Rebounds: O (Offensive), D (Defensive), T (Total); As: Assists; St: Steals; To: Turnovers; Bl: Blocks (Fv: In Favor / Ag: Against); Fouls: Cm (Commited), Rv (Received); PIR: Performance Index Rating

Head coach: SPAHIJA, NEVEN

Tau Ceramica
#	Player	Min	Pts	2FG M-A	3FG M-A	FT M-A	Rebounds			As	St	To	Bl		Fouls		PIR
#	Player	Min	Pts	2FG M-A	3FG M-A	FT M-A	O	D	T	As	St	To	Fv	Ag	Cm	Rv	PIR
5	PRIGIONI, PABLO	24:22	6	0/1	0/1	6/6		1	1	8	1	1			3	4	14
8	RAKOCEVIC, IGOR	33:06	18	3/6	2/6	6/6	1		1					2	2	5	13
9	VIDAL, SERGI	3:13
10	PLANINIC, ZORAN	32:40	18	7/8	1/4	1/3	1	3	4	5	1	1			4	5	22
11	FERNANDEZ, LUCHO	DNP	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
12	TELETOVIC, MIRZA	25:09	8	1/2	2/4			4	4	1		1	1		4		6
13	JASAITIS, SIMAS	21:14	6	0/2	2/3					1					4
21	SPLITTER, TIAGO	18:58	16	7/11		2/3	3	5	8	2		3		1	4	4	17
33	MICKEAL, PETE	5:38	5	1/1	1/1							2			1	1	3
43	JOHNSON, LINTON	14:51	2	1/2	0/1		1		1		1				3		-1
45	MCDONALD, WILL	20:49	13	5/11		3/4	2	4	6	1		2		1	3	5	12
	Team						1		1		1						2
	Totals	200:00	92	25/44	8/20	18/22	9	17	26	18	4	10	1	4	28	24	88
				56.8%	40%	81.8%

This game is not yet played

Head Coaches

GRIGAS, RIMANTAS Zalgiris “I am happy because we have won. Offense dominated over defense in this game. We didn’t lose control in the third quarter and managed to stop their sharp shooters. Speaking about offense, it was our best game so far. We played home, so we had to play good. You have to play aggressive at home. When we slowed down the pace, we started to struggle. We tried to use every player in our rotation and use their specific skills. I believe we can beat any team.”

GRIGAS, RIMANTAS

Zalgiris

“I am happy because we have won. Offense dominated over defense in this game. We didn’t lose control in the third quarter and managed to stop their sharp shooters. Speaking about offense, it was our best game so far. We played home, so we had to play good. You have to play aggressive at home. When we slowed down the pace, we started to struggle. We tried to use every player in our rotation and use their specific skills. I believe we can beat any team.”

SPAHIJA, NEVEN Tau Ceramica "It was great to play here in Kaunas. It is alwaus a pleasure to play here because the atmosphere is special. Zalgiris was a better team tonight. I am not definitely sure, but I think Zalgiris made more free throws and won the boards. Zalgiris didn’t surprised us because we watched their game against CSKA and saw how well they played. We knew we would have it tough here. When we’ll get back home me and my assistants will analyze this game and will try to figure out all the reasons of this loss."

SPAHIJA, NEVEN

Tau Ceramica

"It was great to play here in Kaunas. It is alwaus a pleasure to play here because the atmosphere is special. Zalgiris was a better team tonight. I am not definitely sure, but I think Zalgiris made more free throws and won the boards. Zalgiris didn’t surprised us because we watched their game against CSKA and saw how well they played. We knew we would have it tough here. When we’ll get back home me and my assistants will analyze this game and will try to figure out all the reasons of this loss."

Players

BROWN, MARCUS Zalgiris "I have to thank God after a game like this, because I am able to play after such a difficult injury. We played on our home court and our fans were great. Defensively we gave up many points, transition defense was shaky, but overall we executed well, this is a great team win. Guys set me with good screens and I was able to get some good looks. We have to be more concentrated on the road and start winning there if we want to be a great team."
ZUKAUSKAS, EURELIJUS Zalgiris "Everybody on our team played great tonight with the exception of Marcus Brown. He was just fantastic tonight and hit a few incredible shots. We know that the second round of games are waiting and we expect more wins from now on."

BROWN, MARCUS

Zalgiris

"I have to thank God after a game like this, because I am able to play after such a difficult injury. We played on our home court and our fans were great. Defensively we gave up many points, transition defense was shaky, but overall we executed well, this is a great team win. Guys set me with good screens and I was able to get some good looks. We have to be more concentrated on the road and start winning there if we want to be a great team."

ZUKAUSKAS, EURELIJUS

Zalgiris

"Everybody on our team played great tonight with the exception of Marcus Brown. He was just fantastic tonight and hit a few incredible shots. We know that the second round of games are waiting and we expect more wins from now on."

JASAITIS, SIMAS Tau Ceramica "I didn’t expect a warm welcome here, because I played for Lietuvos Rytas for many years, Zalgiris’ main opponents. We lost two games in a row, but I wouldn’t say that we are in crisis. Our defense didn‘t work out lately and we allowed too many rebounds. They scored a lot of points from outside the paint while we struggled offensively in the fourth quarter. Brown hit some amazing triples and he was the key factor. If we had defended Brown better, we would have won."

JASAITIS, SIMAS

Tau Ceramica

"I didn’t expect a warm welcome here, because I played for Lietuvos Rytas for many years, Zalgiris’ main opponents. We lost two games in a row, but I wouldn’t say that we are in crisis. Our defense didn‘t work out lately and we allowed too many rebounds. They scored a lot of points from outside the paint while we struggled offensively in the fourth quarter. Brown hit some amazing triples and he was the key factor. If we had defended Brown better, we would have won."

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