The high-octane duo dominated to give Zalgiris a second successive emphatic win.
Hayes, Evans led the charge for rampant Zalgiris against Baskonia
Article
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 31 of 34
Group Regular Season
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Zalgiris Kaunas produced another superb home performance in the regular season's last double-round week to earn an emphatic 94-76 rout of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, following Tuesday's 96-81 win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna.
The outcome improved Zalgiris's record to 13-18 with three games to go while Baskonia slipped to 16-15 after a second straight defeat following a tough 87-83 loss at Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, leaving its postseason hopes hanging in the balance.
Keenan Evans paced Zalgiris with 20 points and stepped up the plate with clutch shots whenever the hosts needed reinvigorating in the wake of Baskonia's attempts to claw its way back into the game.
Hayes posts career-high scoring
Kevarrius Hayes was even more instrumental, with a career-high 17 points and 7 boards, while the visiting team's top scorer Markus Howard struggled and finished the first half scoreless. An improved second-half display saw Howard pour in 14 points, but he made only 2 of 9 shots from downtown amid a steely Zalgiris defense that confined the visitors to just 4-of-22 from long range.
Baskonia was also subdued in its own paint, allowing Zalgiris to rack up 15 offensive boards, which led to a barrage of second-chance points. Apart from Hayes, big man Laurynas Birutis also played a major part with 8 points and 6 rebounds, as did Edgaras Ulanovas and Arnas Butkevicius. The former amassed 11 points and 7 rebounds while the latter hauled 10 points and 5 boards to underline a flowing effort by Zalgiris, which might now regret not hitting top form earlier in the regular season.
Player of the game Hayes, who shot 8 of 10 from the floor, was delighted after Zalgiris was treated to a standing ovation by its rapturous fans following the final buzzer.
"It feels great, it's been a perfect double-round week for us with two wins in double digits," Hayes said in a flash post-game interview.
"It brings up the morale and energy, keeping our spirits high for what could happen. We played a very physical defense and were able to deflect a lot of balls. It's hard to keep Howard from scoring all night but we did the best we could, limiting his three-point shots."
Double-round sweep came just in time
Head coach Andrea Trinchieri was just as elated
"Hell of a week for us," he commented. "My players were super-hungry against Virtus and tonight I asked them to be even hungrier. We played another great defensive game, we were great on Howard and energy-wise this was one of our best games. Hayes had a great week, he gave us depth on offense and also made a telling impact on the defensive end."
Evans pointed out that Zalgiris was still hopeful of making the postseason despite the fact that it is going to be a tall order for the Lithuanian giant.
"We want to win every game we can," he said. "Tonight it was a great team effort as we were locked in and played with a huge amount of energy."
Game Videos
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Zalgiris Kaunas-Virtus Segafredo Bologna | RS Round 21 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b07b7062-578a-45dd-a9cf-a55120ae6bcf.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A102%3A122]()
Butkevicius does it at both ends! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e93d6651-b591-4b2c-af6e-9b69106926ed.jpg?crop=612%3A344%3Anowe%3A520%3A168]()
Butkevicius shows his range! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/lS-5zq9D4OM/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz-Olympiacos Piraeus | RS Round 21 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/8ddffe33-c895-42d2-b0b6-7cc91cf58dd2.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A115%3A46]()
Hall rejects Fournier! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:07
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/59848142-e138-4fea-9c4f-f1ec2052ae8f.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A74%3A71]()
Luwawu-Cabarrot stops McKissic! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/636d7b2a-d528-4fef-98c6-1275aa304158.jpg]()
Virtus Segafredo Bologna-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | RS Round 20 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/W6VLMl5LSsc/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Zalgiris Kaunas-Real Madrid | RS Round 20 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/6875c309-9b37-4866-b91a-5a1e7ea020cd.jpg?crop=806%3A454%3Anowe%3A209%3A81]()
Smailagic's put-back dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/982b5028-6056-4fc6-9fa3-97232885268c.jpg?crop=1920%3A1080%3Anowe%3A0%3A0]()
The Fantasy Challenge Podcast gang debates new topics in episode No. 15
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9300acdf-22a1-4517-b2e9-38626d352152.jpg?crop=1214%3A683%3Anowe%3A56%3A22]()
Lonnie Walker responds to EuroLeague fans in ‘Everybody Loves Lonnie’
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/p9dJG5CrrMw/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz-Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade | RS Round 19 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/mIxfpti_duo/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Zalgiris Kaunas-Olympiacos Piraeus | RS Round 19 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:17
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e65d970b-4632-4929-90b5-895db19c8029.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A120%3A89]()
Big one-hander from Donta Hall! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:28
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/27/G3qN9yoUiKT1nqLjIbpIcgrEUfytZh4m-1735337631597.jpg]()
Big CONNECTION Forrest-Hall! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 00:54
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/27/HzVCuQxg0xaFJ6wCIpCfhKPA39Zb98Ub-1735341381848.jpg]()
Chima Moneke: 'This is my favorite game I've ever been a part of'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/zbkgaAqrFLY/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz-Paris Basketball | RS Round 18 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e6d5a464-f875-455d-a5e9-6a0a24e16232.jpg?crop=1350%3A759%3Anowe%3A0%3A123]()
Hall throws it down! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:19
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Moneke stops Shorts! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3b41ad96-3937-4f44-8d85-e1141c8d0123.jpg]()
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 18 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/6875c309-9b37-4866-b91a-5a1e7ea020cd.jpg?crop=923%3A520%3Anowe%3A123%3A30]()
Smailagic takes off! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/bc8882ff-a50a-4896-99e8-4b4a36c83544.jpg]()
Zalgiris Kaunas-LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne | RS Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:23
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/6875c309-9b37-4866-b91a-5a1e7ea020cd.jpg?crop=757%3A426%3Anowe%3A230%3A91]()
Smailagic with a big two-handed slam! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2f789458-60a5-4946-9981-3154d4f02d57.jpg?crop=806%3A453%3Anowe%3A320%3A65]()
Dunston's big swat! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/qf9io_7AvuE/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | RS Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/ee192902-44ed-49f6-8b42-fa51ab79f895.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A115%3A70]()
Nice alley-oop from Diop! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:58
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/17/plgEdeiuLUVXVZ17ZgeXQyyIdgZCpuFJ-1734476988737.jpg]()
Lonnie Walker: 'When we're locked in on defense, I don't think there's anyone who can beat us'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d76b904a-40bf-4403-a9c1-b45d034e657e.jpg]()
ALBA Berlin-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 01:38
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/17/9Z6ymh3lK3wjnREsMeHTbdZoDqSU1dBG-1734470302799.jpg]()
Chima Moneke: 'This is our best win of the season'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/K3myS2EETAk/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | RS Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:29
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/17/J2HZT8BQZYUk1gWfEesF2SYIqMUDXPFm-1734476734149.jpg]()
Birutis skies for the dunk! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/25b1692c-1ee1-4898-b9a8-4f7678238fb8.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A132%3A41]()
Donta Hall makes creative bucket! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9784b387-7c1e-4d89-b6a0-645268f0b32d.jpg]()
Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz-Virtus Segafredo Bologna | RS Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:58
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/12/WE6BQO19exI6VKKUVImiR7Y5svex7y3O-1734043574146.jpg]()
Lonnie Walker: 'It was a collective win'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/cb51b927-3088-4142-8b2c-91cf3d68fe39.jpg]()
Real Madrid-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/70d0a86d-5502-4469-8b4d-ca4b50a1ffee.jpg?crop=1214%3A683%3Anowe%3A71%3A57]()
Hall rises for spectacular swat! Motorola Magic Moment,
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3652c392-64f1-4722-adf5-dad9b666e1fe.jpg?crop=1328%3A747%3Anowe%3A0%3A14]()
Smailagic puts it back! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/7b61257e-b9ee-44d2-91d4-46d0e1c150a4.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A135%3A80]()
Hall says give me that! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/88abae27-2c2c-4415-aa7d-33c3305a3253.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A135%3A103]()
Birutis's big block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:12
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/05/UI1w0QJJA8QkTKvwfuY1Ox1ZNVeS9zs6-1733441184985.jpg]()
Lonnie Walker: 'Our defensive effort led our team'
- 01:31
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/05/UX9S9s5euN2NMqwbcOrPWUlWoksy6hB7-1733440995839.jpg]()
Devin Booker: 'We had the energy from the fans'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/cbc6f4e4-5b4f-4a8e-b1dc-416b50232a07.jpg]()
FC Bayern Munich-Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz | RS Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:26
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/05/h5N7RnfvbPHAzrzMehVRd3fQdAEJxgSu-1733436269493.jpg]()
FANS go CRAZY for this dunk! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 00:17
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e15de13e-16b4-4fa2-895c-04103cd4ba9d.jpg?crop=1220%3A686%3Anowe%3A58%3A56]()
Moneke with the chasedown block! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/0ff530da-db2f-4dea-b72e-3f1aeb202f4f.jpg]()
Zalgiris Kaunas-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | RS Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/6abb4ce1-1563-438c-80be-9de8afc02eb6.jpg?crop=1334%3A750%3Anowe%3A8%3A33]()
Smailagic's put-back slam! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/88abae27-2c2c-4415-aa7d-33c3305a3253.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A167%3A85]()
Birutis throws it down! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:22
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/0adea31c-c01b-40d8-bb0d-8fe9a50d57e1.jpg?crop=1236%3A695%3Anowe%3A57%3A59]()
Smailagic's big block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:36
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/03/WvXGw8ofWhVeuxuDuOizrJKmOQtAs1wM-1733265775070.jpg]()
Donta Hall: 'We had to bring our hard hats too'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/4dfca9c9-6a24-41d8-84bc-974fffe64c54.jpg]()
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-Zalgiris Kaunas | RS Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
