Zalgiris registered a home loss against CSKA Moscow last week and fired head coach Elias Zouros, hiring Vitoldas Masalskis to step in as interim coach while the club looks for a new boss.
Unicaja could not beat Panathinaikos on the road and hopes to bounce back in front of its fans. Unicaja relies on Joel Freeland and Nedzad Sinanovic to make the difference under the basket, and hopes to use its great start in the Spanish League to gain momentum in Europe's signature club competition. Zalgiris may use a different rotation this time, and has the depth, athleticism and experience to surprise Unicaja in Malaga.
Sonny Weems and DeJuan Collins sat out in a Lithuanian League game this weekend but are expected to fly to Malaga. Unicaja has its entire roster available against Zalgiris.
Unicaja has a size advance in the middle with Sinanovic, Freeland and Luka Zoric, but Zalgiris has experienced big men ready to take on the challenge in Robertas Javtokas, Milovan Rakovic and Paulius Jankunas, who faces an intriguing matchup against veteran forward Jorge Garbajosa.
Unicaja must try to stop lightning quick point guard Ty Lawson, who will get plenty of help from DeJuan Collins and Eurocup Finals MVP Marko Popovic. EJ Rowland will see most minutes against Lawson, with Kris Valters ready to back him up. Sonny Weems and Tremmell Darden will battle each other in another critical matchup. - http://www.crunchsports.com
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