During the month of January, Giedraitis has been one of the most productive players in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
Who's hot: Rokas Giedraitis, Crvena Zvezda
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Since the start of 2024, few players have produced as much, and as consistently, as Crvena Zvezda Merdianbet Belgrade forward Rokas Giedraitis.
In five games during the month of January, Zvezda has registered three wins, all by 9 points or more: on the road at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, as well as at home against arch rival Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.
In each those games, as well as in Zvezda's two losses against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz, Giedraitis has played at least 26 minutes, has scored at least 12 points, made at least 2 three-point shots, had at least 1 steal, and posted a PIR of 17 or higher
Only six players had accumulated a PIR of 100 or more, for an average of 20.0 or better, over the five January games, and one of them is Giedraitis.
He started the year with 19 points and 7 rebounds for a PIR of 22 against Fenerbahce, then had 14 points and 7 rebounds against Partizan, accumulating and index rating of 21.
Giedraitis scored 12 points and collected 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists for a PIR of 17 against ASVEL, then two days later went on to post 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and a block for a 27 PIR in Milan.
Last week, against his former team Baskonia, he had 13 points plus 5 rebounds, and a PIR of 17.
On Thursday, the 31-year old playing in his fifth EuroLeague season faces another of his former teams, ALBA Berlin. He enters that contest averaging 16.0 points in the month of January, tied for the eighth best in the league, while connecting on 52.6% of his shot attempts from long range. He is also posting 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals this month, for an average PIR of 20.8.
That's a major improvement from the first 17 rounds of this season, during which Giedraitis had averages of 9.2 points on 35.6% three-point shooting, along with 3.5 rebounds and less than 1.0 steal.
In a familiar setting, Giedraitis and Zvezda hope he remains hot in the German capital and helps to register another road win that would improve the team's chances in the playoff race.