The Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe-LKL) battle for the bronze has intensified in Game 2 as Wolves Twinsbet emerged victorious against 7bet-Lietkabelis, winning 81:73 (21:17, 20:14, 20:18, 20:24) in Panevėžys. Both teams swapped road wins, and the best-of-five series is now tied at 1:1.
The game was fierce from the get-go, with Dovis Bičkauskis nailing a three-pointer midway through the first quarter to make it 15:14. The Wolves responded with a flurry of baskets to overtake the hosts, with Arnas Beručka splitting his free throws and BC Lietkabelis’ Martynas Varnas making two of his own to end the action of the opening quarter at 21-17.
Late in the second quarter, former Wolves player Djordje Gagic was whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul on Regimantas Miniotas, giving the visitors free throws and an extra possession, ending with a jumper from Artūrs Žagars (38:30). Just like Game 1, the Vilnius-based club entered halftime with a double-digit advantage – 41:31.
The start of the third quarter saw the visitors trailing even further after Vaidas Kariniauskas buried a three-pointer – 51:38. Gediminas Orelik caught Tre’Shawn Thurman with a shooting foul from near midcourt and then made all three charity shots – 45:53. Rasheed Sulaimon, recently named to the 2023-24 All-LKL Team, restored the double-digit lead for the Wolves after sinking a three-pointer – 59:49.
In the fourth quarter, Panevėžys held Wolves Twinsbet scoreless for half a period to claw their way back and eventually wrestle the lead – 64:61. The Wolves, however, managed to snap out of their long drought and went on their own offensive surge to re-establish control. V. Kariniauskas sank a crucial three-pointer to extend the gap – 71:64, with more than three minutes left to play.
T. Thurman fouled out after he got called for his fifth, but Kristupas Žemaitis nailed a clutch long-distance bucket followed by Regimantas Miniotas’ lay-up plus the foul, allowing the Wolves to stay afloat – 77-69. With under a minute to go, the visitors only allowed free throws for the home team to ensure the victory.
Wolves Twinsbet played with only nine players in this game, with injuries preventing Garrison Brooks, Jeffery Taylor, and Christian Mekowulu from contributing to the team’s cause.
R. Miniotas was the difference-maker for the visiting Wolves – in 28 minutes of play he scored 17 points (4/5 2PT, 1/1 3PT, 6/7 FTs), grabbed 9 rebounds, had 2 steals, and 25 EFF.
The Wolves had half the number of turnovers versus the Panevėžys club (7:14) but lost the rebounding battle (32:38), and shot poorly from three-point distance (12/41, 29%). However, 7bet-Lietkabelis shot even worse from long range, making only 4/21 (19%).
Game 3 of the series will take place in Vilnius on June 9 (Sunday) at 5:20 p.m.
Wolves Twinsbet: Regimantas Miniotas 17, Eigirdas Žukauskas 14, Vaidas Kariniauskas (3/4 3PT) and Tre’Shawn Thurman 13 each, Arturs Žagars (6 assists), Rasheed Sulaimon, Kristupas Žemaitis (5 assists) and Arnas Beručka 6 each. Vitalijus Kozys played but went scoreless.
7bet-Lietkabelis: Deividas Sirvydis 19, Djordje Gagič 12, Dovis Bičkauskis 11.
