The strong display allowed the Lithuanian side to snap a four-game losing streak.
Lietkabelis's three-pointers, offensive rebounds sparked win over Slask
7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys took advantage of a major cushion in rebounding - especially at the offensive end - and three-pointers to beat Slask Wroclaw 91-75 and snap a four-game losing streak and thereby stay alive for the playoffs.
Lietkabelis won the rebound battle 37-22 and used a 12-4 difference in offensive rebounds to score 17 second-chance points compared to 6 for the guests. It was not a surprise that Lietkabelis enjoyed such an advantage on rebounds as Slask ranked 18th in offensive rebounds allowed with 12.0 per game and Lietkabelis conceded only 8.8 - the second-fewest in the competition.
Lietkabelis offensively was carried by three-pointers, knocking down 13 triples on 28 attempts for a 46.4% clip. Sixth of those three-pointers came in the fourth quarter. The Lithuanian side was ranked third in three-pointers at 39.8% coming into the game.
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“Of course, it’s always easier to play when you make your shots. We survived our critical moments in the third quarter. We keep fighting. Those threes came from open shots - not lucky shots. But I think the defense was much better in the last quarter,” said Lietkabelis coach Nenad Canak, whose team took the final frame 28-6.
“This game was important for us, the fans and the club especially. A great win,” said Deividas Sirvydis, who paced Lietkabelis with 21 points including 3 three-pointers.
The hosts also shared the ball well with 23 assists. Lietkabelis did commit 15 turnovers, but that was actually better than its season average of 17.0 per game - the most turnovers committed by any team.