Grigas replaces Petrovic as Zalgiris coach

On the eve of a crucial Turkish Airlines Euroleague game, Zalgiris Kaunas announced Tuesday that former head coach Rimantas Grigas is replacing Aco Petrovic as head coach effective immediately. Grigas and assistant Oliver Kostic will run the team's Tuesday practice and be on the sideline for Wednesday's Group A contest against Caja Laboral in which Zalgiris can advance to the Top 16 with a win. Grigas, 48, previously led Zalgiris for a season-and-a-half. He took over in December 2006 and resigned shortly before the start of the 2007-08 season. He led the team to back-to-back Lithuanian titles, the 2008 Lithuanian Cup and the 2008 Baltic League crown. After leaving Zalgiris, Grigas coached Ukrainian side Budivelnik fro two seasons.

Petrovic, who was hired in the summer, led Zalgiris to a 4-4 record in his first season as a Euroleague head coach. The team was also undefeated in the Lithuanian League.