VILNIUS - After playing only 15 minutes this whole Euroleague season, Zalgiris' Darjus Lavrinovic showed what he is capable of when he is healthy on rare occasion.
"Tonight I had enough court time to show that I can play at this level," said Lavrinovic who had a game high 17 points, going five for seven from the field and a perfect four for four from the foul line. The Lithuanian big man had been out of action due to a knee operation this past off-season.
But he wasn't Zalgiris' only contributor in its 92-75 thrashing of Istanbul Ulker on March 25 in Kaunas. It was a real team effort.
Zalgiris had six players in double figures including Darius Salenga who had a break out performance going six for eight from the field on his way to scoring 15 points.
Arvydas Sabonis was one of those six players and one who seemed to be enjoying himself most.
"I stayed for quite a long time on the court not because there was a special need for it. The coach wanted me to be there, and I actually enjoyed it. I always enjoy playing when my team wins," said the Lithuanian giant, who posted yet another double double scoring 14 points and hauling down 12 rebounds.
"There were two different teams on the court," said Ulker head coach Ergin Ataman, whose team was without leading scorer Ibrahim Kutluay and center Efthimios Rentzias. His team's only lead was on the opening basket when they led 3-0.
Zalgiris then responded with an 11-0 run. Ulker pull within five points late in the first quarter but it was the closest they came to leveling the score. At half time Zalgiris was up by 10 points, with the score at 47-37.
The fourth quarter was a mere formality as Zalgiris continued its excellent team play and increased its lead further. In doing so, it helped to put distance between itself and the first place team in the group Tel Aviv Maccabi. Maccabi did not play this past week after its Spanish opponents Pamesa Valencia refused to travel to Israel due to the threat of violence in the region.
Zalgiris next takes on Pamesa at home April 1 in a crucial game that could be decisive if it is to continue to the Euroleague final four. Its previous meeting against the Spanish side was an 85-76 loss in Valencia only a couple weeks ago.
Unfortunately, Zalgiris will be without its hero of the hour Lavrinovic, who injured his surgically repaired knee last weekend in Lithuanian Basketball League action. He could be out for another six months.
