The Lithuanian center has averaged a 27.5 PIR when facing the Turkish club at home in the last two seasons.
Laurynas Birutis came up big against Fenerbahce… again
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Regular Season
Round 22 of 34
Group Regular Season
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Laurynas Birutis enjoyed a magic night at Zalgirio Arena on Friday night, as he and his Zalgiris Kaunas teammates enjoyed a blowout 98-75 victory against the visiting Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Zalgiris was impressive all game long, starting with a strong 10-0 run in less than 3 minutes that set the foundations for a convincing home victory after three straight games on the road.
In particular, Fenerbahce had no answer for Birutis, who finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes on the floor. Once his night was done, he had accrued a PIR of 28, which was his career-best mark. The 26-year-old was one of the main contributors for a team that enjoyed a double-digit lead for almost the entire game and never allowed its opponent to get closer than 6 points.
“We came out with the right mentality,” Birutis revealed after the game. “We were physical, moving the ball well. Of course, we got some up and downs. We let [Scottie] Wilbekin play an amazing game, but overall, we did a pretty good job on defense.”
Birutis likes playing Fenerbahce
What was rather curious was the fact that Birutis’s previous career high came against the same team at the same venue just one season ago, when Zalgiris also blew out Fenerbahce 86-66 on June 23, 2023. On that occasion, the Lithuanian center went for 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, good for a PIR of 27.
Asked about his good displays against the Turkish powerhouse, Birutis answered: “I don’t know. I just try to always do my best, it doesn’t matter who I’m playing against.”
An interesting comparison
Andrea Trinchieri, who only took over Zalgiris four games ago, has already identified Birutis as one of his main weapons on the court and had a funny comparison dedicated to him.
“He is a very smart player. It’s a joy to coach him,” he recognized. “He has a great touch. He has the hands of a piano player. I never saw a 2.15-meter piano player, so we have a 2.15 piano player.
“I just have to convince him that he is good. I’m asking him a little more things; to also be a facilitator. He has this floater that is his signature shot and we are trying to use him as much as we can.”
No doubt once the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague calendar is announced, Birutis will be looking for Zalgiris’s home clash with Fenerbahce. After all, it’s a fixture he has really stood out in over the last two seasons.