Lithuania remained undefeated at the 2007 EuroBasket by pulling ahead early and using the long-range bombs to hold on late and secure a 95-75 victory over the Czech Republic in Group C in Palma de Mallorca.
The 2003 champions led by 25 points midway through the third quarter only to see the Czechs go on a 13-0 run to come back within 12. But Ksistof Lavrinovic, Linas Kleiza and Simas Jasaitis each drained a pair of three-pointers in the fourth quarter, allowing Lithuania to stave off any Czech hopes of a comeback.
"We started the game well and played strong defense and well on offense too. But the players began to think about the Germany game tomorrow too early. And you have to give respect to the Czech players who fought to the end," said Lithuania coach Ramunas Butautas. "We started playing too individually and we had big problems in the fourth quarters. But our shooters came up big today for us."
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Kleiza had 14 points as Lithuania
remain undefeated in Group C |
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The Lithuanians made 13-of-21 three-pointers in the game (62%) while the Czechs hit just six-of-28 (21%) as they fell to 0-2 in the group.
"At the beginning of the game we didn't match their energy and they were making their shots - even their big guys. We got down by 10, then 15 and 17 points in the first quarter, and it's tough to play that kind of game," said Czech Republic veteran Lubos Barton.
"In the second quarter we matched their intensity and played strong and had a good run in the third. But Lithuania is just too experienced a team to let us back in the game."
Ksistof Lavrinovic led the way with 22 points, while Kleiza added 14, Darjus Lavrinovic had 12 and Jasikevicius chipped in with 10 points and four assists.
Lithuania made sure Czech's big guns, Barton and Jiri Welsch, didn't get off to a hot start. The duo combined for 36 against Germany, but did not score against Lithuania until Welsch's two foul shots with 1:28 left in the first quarter.
By that time the Lithuanians had begun to pull away, opening a 24-10 lead on their way to a 32-15 advantage after one period with Jasikevicius accounting for 10 points, including two three-pointers.
Jasikevicius was able to start the game - and played 23 minutes - despite being diagnosed earlier on Tuesday with a tendon strain in his right knee after a collision in the opening game against Turkey.
The first basket by the Czech star pair was Barton's three-pointer at the 8:36 mark of the second quarter - after the team had fallen behind 35-17.
And despite bringing on his reserves for much of the second quarter, Ramunas Butautas's side never let up and extended the lead to 54-31 at half time - thanks to eight points in the period from Ksistof Lavrinovic.
The lead ballooned to 25 points - 60-35 - but Barton and Welsch finally found their stroke, combining for all points of a 13-0 run, which included two three-pointers and a three-point play, to cut the deficit to 60-48.
But the Lithuanians buckled down to allow just one basket over the final 2:30 of the third quarter, re-establishing a 72-55 advantage going into the fourth.
Maurice Whitfield's three-pointer again brought the Czechs to within 12, 72-60, only to see Ksistof Lavrinovic and Kleiza each bury two three-pointers to maintain an 87-72 lead with three minutes left in the game. And two long bombs by Simas Jasaitis in the final 2:25 sealed the deal.
Welsch finished with a game-high 18 points while Barton added 13 points. Petr Benda chipped in 14 points in a losing cause.
Lithuania, who play Germany on Wednesday, were not pleased with their showing.
"The game was not so easy. We were up and down. We had too many turnovers (20). And at times we didn't enjoy the game," said Lithuania forward Ramunas Siskauskas. "We have to play equal all game. Maybe we were not ready for a physical game."
The Czech Republic face Turkey on Wednesday knowing only a victory can bring them into the qualifying round in Madrid.
