VALENCIA BASKET-ZALGIRIS KAUNAS 79-84
Second consecutive defeat for Valencia who did not take advantage of a favorable calendar, with three games in a row at home, finding only one success, against Efes last Wednesday. The Lithuanians start strong: 10-19 after 5′ with Evans and Smits as the main offensive players. On an evening where the Valencian defense doesn’t work, 27 points conceded in the first 10′, the attack confirms the usual problems with ball circulation and few ideas. Kaunas doesn’t take advantage of it and, after 21-21 in the second half, the teams are in the locker room at 42-48. Valencia changes face when they return to the court: first Spanish lead at 55-54 with Jones and extended to 64-59 with Davies, Ojeleye and Jovic. The match was decided in the last quarter with coach Trinchieri’s men making few mistakes, getting back ahead and taking the game home led by an irrepressible Evans who scored 24 points.