Zalgiris Kaunas advanced to the Betsafe-LKL semi-finals. In the second game of the quarter-final series, Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated Neptunas Klaipeda 98-70 (22-22, 27-13, 27-18, 22-18) and will meet CBet Jonava in the semi-final stage.
Laurynas Birutis scored 4 points, Dovydas Giedraitis hit a mid-range shot and Ignas Brazdeikis added 5 points to start the game, 11-10. Neptunas answered with 8 points in a row, but Sylvain Francisco dished out assists to Arnas Butkevicius and Edgaras Ulanovas, Bryant Dunston made free throws and the score was tied 18-18. Isaiah Wong’s mid-range jumper and a layup by Ulanovas ended the first period at 22-22.
Dunston had a block and 4 points to start the second quarter, Matt Mitchell made a fast break layup, 28-22. Francisco sank a free throw, Birutis, Dunston, Mitchell and Brazdeikis added a two-pointers, 38-31. Giedraitis and Smailagic scored 3 points each, Dunston collectd his 10th point and Brazdeikis closed the second quarter, 49-35.
Francisco scored 5 points, Dunston dished the ball to Brazdeikis for a layup, 56-35. Francisco hit another three-pointer, Dunston dunked it home, Ulanovas and Francisco increased the margin to 24 points, 66-42. By the end of the third period, Mitchell scored despite a foul, and Ulanovas tallied 7 more points, 76-52.
Birutis sank free throws, Deividas Sirvydis hit a tough three-pointer, Mitchell was accurate from mid-range and Wong added a three-pointer, 86-63. Francisco scored 5 points in a row and dished assists to Birutis and Mitchell, and Wong made the last shot from long range, 98-70.
Francisco led Zalgiris with 17 points and 6 assists. Ulanovas had 13 points, while Dunston and Brazdeikis scored 12 points each.
