Lietkabelis defended their home court with a 95-86 victory over PAOK B.C. in a hard-fought EuroCup Basketball encounter. The Lithuanian side used a balanced offensive attack and a decisive third-quarter run to hand the Greek visitors their first road defeat of the campaign.
Match Overview
The game was tight through the first twenty minutes. Lietkabelis led 24-22 after one quarter, and the teams traded baskets for much of the second. A late three-pointer gave the hosts a 48-44 halftime advantage. The third quarter proved decisive: Lietkabelis outscored PAOK 28-18, turning a four-point game into a 76-62 lead heading into the final period. PAOK made a late push, cutting the deficit to seven with two minutes left, but Lietkabelis iced the game at the free-throw line.
Key Moments
- End of first half: A buzzer-beating three from Lietkabelis guard Kristupas Žemaitis gave the hosts momentum going into the break.
- Third-quarter blitz: Lietkabelis opened the second half with a 14-3 run, capped by a transition alley-oop.
- Clutch free throws: In the final minute, Lietkabelis went 6-for-6 from the line to seal the win.
Tactical Story
Lietkabelis coach emphasized ball movement, and his team responded with 22 assists on 34 made field goals. They repeatedly attacked PAOK's big men in pick-and-roll situations, forcing switches and then feeding the roll man. PAOK relied heavily on isolation plays and struggled to generate clean looks against Lietkabelis's active zone defense in the third quarter. The Greek side shot just 38% from beyond the arc, while Lietkabelis connected on 44% of their three-point attempts.
Standout Players
Gytis Masiulis paced Lietkabelis with 23 points and 8 rebounds, showcasing his inside-outside game. Kristupas Žemaitis added 17 points and 9 assists, while Vytenis Lipkevičius contributed 14 points off the bench. For PAOK, Dimitris Katsivelis scored 21 points, and Vangelis Margaritis added 16 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort.
Season Impact
The win improves Lietkabelis's record in the EuroCup group stage and gives them a crucial head-to-head advantage over PAOK. With the competition's format rewarding road wins, this home victory was essential for the Lithuanian club's playoff hopes. PAOK will look to regroup before their next European fixture, while Lietkabelis continue to build momentum in both domestic and continental play.

