Neptūnas Klaipėda fell short in a tight clash as Zalgiris Kaunas held on for a 93‑90 win on September 15 2024 in the LKL regular season.
How did the game unfold?
Zalgiris started efficiently, scoring 13‑6 after their first five possessions. Moses Wright contributed a mid‑range jumper, Nigel Williams‑Goss knocked down two threes, and Arnas Butkevičius added points. Azuolas Tubelis kept the lead with free throws, preserving a 27‑22 edge at the end of the first quarter.
Neptūnas answered with a quick run, briefly taking the lead, but Tubelis restored control with a four‑point burst. Edgaras Ulanovas and Deividas Sirvydis bolstered the effort, helping Zalgiris maintain a 27‑22 score into the quarter’s close.
What changed in the second quarter?
Zalgiris extended the gap to 37‑27 as Dustin Sleva and Sylvain Francisco hit deep shots, while Ignas Brazdeikis added four points. Ulanovas and Francisco kept scoring, and Tubelis worked inside to keep the advantage.
Neptūnas tied it at 48‑48, but Zalgiris responded with Williams‑Goss, Maodo Lo and Laurynas Birutis making baskets, ending the half with a 54‑50 lead.
How did the third and fourth quarters shift?
The third quarter opened with Zalgiris triples – Francisco and Butkevičius each hit three, building a 62‑52 lead. Neptūnas rallied, cutting the margin to one point, but Zalgiris answered with free throws and threes (Lo, Sirvydis), keeping it 82‑69 into the fourth.
Sleva kept shooting hot, stretching the lead to 85‑69, then Zalgiris went scoreless for seven minutes, missing free throws and open looks. Neptūnas tied it at 86‑86, yet Tubelis answered with six straight points, and Williams‑Goss added a free throw, sealing a 93‑90 victory.
Who stood out statistically?
Azuolas Tubelis led the visitors with 16 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Sylvain Francisco and Dustin Sleva each contributed 13 points, while Zalgiris’ frontcourt stayed steady. Neptūnas Klaipėda had chances in the final minute but failed to capitalize, highlighting a need for better late‑game execution.
These details show Zalgiris maintaining a high level of play, while Neptūnas Klaipėda must improve clutch performance to avoid similar losses in future matchups.