Popovic stars as Zalgiris blasts Berlins

Zalgiris Kaunas roared past Alba Berlin 92-56 to snap a three-game losing streak and get back in the hunt in Top 16 Group E. Marko Popovic recorded 22 points and dished 5 assists to lead the Lithuanian champs, who improved to 2-4 with the win, while dropping Alba to 1-5. Berlin hung around early, but some nice baskets by Tremmell Darden gave the hosts a slim lead. Mindaugas Kuzminskas came off the bench in the second quarter to help push the advantage to 11 before it sttled at 44-37 at halftime. It was Marko Popovic who put the game away with 12 points in 14-0 run to open the second half and the Lithuanian champs never looked back. Darden added 17 points and Kuzminskas 14 for the hosts, who shook off the absence of Ibby Jaaber to romp to an impressive win. Yassin Idbihi led Berlin with 12 points and Derrick Byars added 10 in defeat.

First quarter: Darden helps hosts grab early lead

Deon Thompson gave the visitors the early lead with a baseline jumper. Popovic drained a jumper for Zalgiris’s first points and then fed Ksistof Lavrinovic inside to tie the game at 4-4. Alba quickly regained the lead through a pair of baskets from the game’s first substitute, Je’Kel Foster. A steal and assist from Oliver Lafayette led to a Popovic triple and the hosts’ first lead, 9-8. Thompson attacked the basket at the other end for a layup. Zalgiris continued to move ahead after a Paulius Jankunas steal eventually led to a Darden offensive rebound and slam, 13-10. A Darjus Lavrinovic steal gave Darden another chance to shine with a slam. But Darjus Lavrinovic’s hard foul on Thompson was ruled unsportsmanlike and after a pair of successful free throws, Foster drained a three from the corner to make it 15-17. Darjus Lavrinovic made amends with a three-pointer. Adas Juskevicius and Darden followed with triples as the momentum stayed with the hosts. Idbihi took back 2 points from the line for Berlin, however Darden fired in another three for a 26-21 lead after 10 minutes.

Second quarter: Kuzminskas stars off the bench to take cushion to 11

Mario Delas boosted the hosts’ lead to 7, but Nihad Djedovic provided a Berlin highlight with a steal, layup after a long roll on the rim, and free throw. Darjus Lavrinovic stretched to save a ball, which allowed Delas to find Kuzminskas open underneath for a 32-24 Zalgiris advantage. Idbihi knocked down a pair of jumpers, but Zalgiris remained in control as Kuzminskas answered with a triple. Heiko Schaffartzik narrowed the gap to 38-33 with a three-pointer for his first points. Kuzminskas continued to shine with a beautiful spin move and layup and then a steal and slam for the game’s first double-digit lead. Idbihi went to work in the paint for an important score that kept Berlin within 44-37 at the break.

Third quarter: Popovic scores 12 in 14-0 charge to give Zalgiris complete control

Popovic came out ready to shoot. Back-to-back three-pointers by the high-scoring guard put his team up 15. Popovic then fed Darden for an open court layup before he added a layup of his own. Popovic remained red hot as he knocked down a pair of free throws to cap a 14-0 march that took the Zalgiris lead past 20. Nearly five minutes had passed before Derrick Byars scored Alba’s first points of the half with a three-pointer from the corner. Byars fired in a second triple a minute later and then dished to Thompson inside to trim the gap to 60-45. However Lafayette found Darden and Delas inside in quick succession to restore a 21-point difference. Delas brought the crowd to its feet with a wicked slam that made it 68-46. A Kuzminskas tip in made it 70-46 through three quarters.

Fourth quarter: No comeback in the cards for Berlin

Kuzminskas drained a triple as Zalgiris refused to let up, taking the lead to 27. At the other end, Sven Schultze converted a basket-plus-foul for his first points. Zach Morley followed with a triple. However baskets by Darden and Popovic ensured no comeback would be on the agenda. Popovic polished off the game with a triple to make it 82-52 with a little over four minutes to go. Vytenis Lipkevicius got his chance in the closing minutes and lifted the hosts to a 34-point lead as Zalgiris cruised to victory.