Zalgiris Kaunas remained a strong playoffs contender by downing Valencia Basket 95-74 at Zalgirio Arena on Friday, improving to 17-15 in the standings. Zalgiris selected its shots better and that led to a big win.
Zalgiris downed 21 of 30 two-pointers against Valencia for an accuracy rate of 70% that was the team's third-best shooting inside the arc in this EuroLeague season. Laurynas Birutis contributed more than anyone to that high percentage, hitting all of his 4 two-pointers. Valencia was limited to 19-of-33 two-point accuracy (57.6% 2FG). Jasiel Rivero went 8-for-8 from two-point range, but the rest of the team could only make 11 of 25 (44%).
The hosts were also highly effective from beyond the arc, burying 14 of 29 three-pointers (48.3% 3FG), Zalgiris's second-best volume shooting from distance this season. It had previously hit 16 three-pointers in an 88-81 home win against ALBA Berlin in Round 6. Karolis Lukosiunas sank 4 three-pointers and Lukas Lekavicius added 3. Zalgiris outrebounded Valencia by 33-25 but shooting the ball so well from all distances made the difference.