U.Juventus 86–83 Neptunas Klaipeda (29 May 2026) – Lietuvos Krepsinio Lyga (LKL)

In a tightly contested Lithuanian Basketball League battle, U.Juventus edged out Neptunas Klaipeda 86–83 at the Utenos Arena on Friday night. The home side improved their record to 16–10, while Neptunas dropped to 14–12, making this a crucial result in the fight for playoff positioning in the LKL.

Match Report

The game was a seesaw affair from start to finish, with neither team able to build a double-digit lead. U.Juventus opened with strong inside play from center Arnas Butkevičius, who scored 8 points in the first six minutes. Neptunas countered with sharp perimeter shooting from guard Martynas Paliukėnas, who hit three triples in the first half. At halftime, Juventus led 44–41.

The third quarter belonged to Neptunas, as they used a 13–4 run to take a 60–57 lead into the final period. But U.Juventus responded with a 10–0 run early in the fourth, keyed by aggressive drives from point guard Dovis Bičkauskis. With 2:30 remaining, Neptunas cut the lead to 82–81, but a crucial steal and fast-break layup by Bičkauskis gave Juventus a three-point cushion with 45 seconds left. Neptunas had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but a contested three-pointer by Paliukėnas rimmed out.

Key Stats

• Dovis Bičkauskis (Juventus): 24 points, 7 assists, 3 steals – the game's MVP.
• Arnas Butkevičius (Juventus): 16 points, 9 rebounds. His presence in the paint was vital.
• Martynas Paliukėnas (Neptunas): 22 points, 5 assists – led all scorers but missed the potential game-tying shot.
• Rebounds: Juventus 38 – Neptunas 32. Turnovers: Juventus 11 – Neptunas 14.

LKL Standings Context

The victory keeps U.Juventus in fifth place, just one game behind fourth-placed Žalgiris Kaunas, who hold a 17–9 record. Neptunas slips to seventh, but remains within striking distance of the top six that secure direct playoff berths. With only a handful of games left in the regular season, every result carries weight in the tight LKL race.

Looking Ahead

U.Juventus will travel to face Wolves Twinsbet on June 2, while Neptunas hosts Prienai on June 1. Both teams will need to build on this performance to maintain momentum in the competitive Lithuanian league.