Vladimir Lucic returns to lead Bayern and leave Zalgiris winless / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: D.Repečka/BasketNews.lt Credit D.Repečka/BasketNews.lt

In a match between two teams that have not tasted victory at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season, Zalgiris Kaunas (0-5) lost a nail-bitter against FC Bayern Munich (1-4) 73-75 (24-13, 15-14, 16-25, 18-23).

Player of the Game EFF 20 Vladimir Lucic Points 17 Accuracy 4-11 Rebounds 4 Assists 0

Lukas Lekavicius had a chance to tie the game at the free throw line, but he missed one shot, Deshaun Thomas scored on the other end, and Bayern had a small cushion with 37 seconds remaining (74-71).

Mantas Kalnietis missed a potential game-tying three, but Othello Hunter missed both shots at the charity stripe on the other end. Lekavicius converted both free throws to cut Zalgiris' deficit to one with 6 seconds remaining (73-74).

Lucic made one of two free throws, but Zalgiris didn't have enough time on offense, and Bayern survived by two points.

Lucic led Bayern with 17 points (3/6 2PT, 1/5 3PT, 8/9 FT), 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 20 PIR.

I think we deserved the win, not just tonight, but also in the other games of previous rounds, but I’m happy that we won tonight," Lucic said post-game. "I went like the rest of the world through COVID and I still have some lung issues, so from the conditioning point of view, I’m not even close to being in shape."

Josh Nebo was great for Zalgiris, finishing with 12 points (4/5 2PT, 4/4 FT), 13 rebounds, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers, and 21 PIR.

Zalgiris went on a 9-0 run towards the end of the first period, led by Lekavicius and Niels Giffey, to give the home team an 11-point lead after one (24-13).

The Lithuanian champions stayed hot in the second period, increasing their advantage to 16 (39-23). Bayern finished the half with four straight to cut their deficit to 12 (27-39).

Bayern kicked into high gear in the third period, slowly picking Zalgiris' lead apart and coming within one (47-48). But the hosts didn't let Bayern gain an advantage, going into the final period with a three-point advantage (55-52).

FC Bayern Munich / Schedule

Zalgiris Kaunas FC Bayern Munich73-75 FC Bayern Munich AX Armani Exchange MilanTue18:45 ALBA Berlin FC Bayern Munich10-2818:00

Bayern tied the game in the final period and gained a lead after Darrun Hilliard's 3-pointer at the halfway mark of the quarter (63-62). The game was tied at 70 with just over 2 minutes remaining, with Deshaun Thomas giving Bayern a two-point advantage with a minute remaining (72-70).

Zalgiris played without Joffrey Lauverge, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Janis Strelnieks tonight.

"We played hard but maybe not smart enough to win the game," Zalgiris coach Jure Zdovc told reporters after the game. "I don’t really have a big criticism of my players, because they tried. Maybe the difference was they had Lucic back, who was the key player for them in both positions, '3' and '4'."

Bayern were without Paul Zipser and Leon Radosevic. However, Vladimir Lucic and Nihad Djedovic were back in the lineup. However, Djedovic didn't play.

Bayern: Vladimir Lucic 17, Deshaun Thomas 15, Darrun Hilliard 14, Corey Walden 11, Augustine Rubit 8 (7 REB).

Zalgiris: Lukas Lekavicius 16, Josh Nebo 12 (13 REB), Mantas Kalnietis 11 (6 AST), Niels Giffey 11 (7 REB), Marek Blazevic 8 (8 REB).

Highlights

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