Zalgiris Kaunas took the most direct route to the Betsafe-LKL fina Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated CBet Jonava 86-78 (28-25, 18-14, 22-18, 18-20) at Zalgirio Arena and won the semi-final series 3-0.
Laurynas Birutis scored the first points, but after just two possessions, the hosts were already trailing 2-7. Ignas Brazdeikis and Sylvain Francisco made a three-pointer each, Francisco added a drive, Edgaras Ulanovas scored 4 points, and Zalgiris regained the lead 14-12. Birutis and Francisco collected 4 points each, Brazdeikis hit a three-pointer, Dovydas Giedraitis had a breakthrough under the basket, 28-25.
Matt Mitchell, Brazdeikis and Arnas Butkevicius made layups, 34-29. Brazdeikis, Alen Smailagic and Butkevicius added 2 more points each, 40-37. Sirvydis and Butkevicius closed the second quarter with three-pointers, 46-40.
Brazdeikis started the third quarter with 5 points, Giedraitis also hit a three-pointer and Bryant Dunston scored 3 points, 57-46. Francisco found Birutis twice under the basket (61-51), but the opponents got closer, 61-56. After a Trinchieri timeout, Mitchell made a difficult mid-range shot, Sirvydis hit a three-pointer from the corner, and Butkevicius scored under the basket, 68-58.
Mitchell scored from under the basket, Sirvydis was on target from long range, Smailagic made a tip-in, 75-68. Sirvydis added 4 more points, Smailagic made a dunk, and after a three-pointer by Giedraitis, the difference got back double digits again, 84-74. The last points of the semi-final series were scored by Smailagic on free throws, 86-78.
Brazdeikis led once again with 15 points. Sirvydis had 13 points, Birutis finished with 10 points.
