Zalgiris Kaunas opened the Lithuanian Basketball League semifinals with a win. Coached by Tomas Masiulis, Zalgiris defeated Lietkabelis Panevezys 85-75 (21-20, 21-20, 21-18, 22-17) at Zalgirio Arena, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Game 2 will be played in Panevezys on Thursday, while Game 3 will take place in Kaunas on Sunday.
Azuolas Tubelis scored the first four points for Zalgiris, and Deividas Sirvydis finished a play off a pass from Moses Wright. However, missed free throws from Francisco and Wright allowed Lietkabelis to take an early lead, 7-11. Dovydas Giedraitis responded with a corner three, Francisco added five points, and Sirvydis knocked down another three to put Zalgiris ahead 18-15, with Maodo Lo adding points late in the quarter for a 21-20 lead.
Laurynas Birutis opened the second quarter with a dunk, while Dustin Sleva hit a long two-pointer, 25-22. Wright contributed with a putback dunk, Ulanovas added free throws, and Francisco scored six points to keep the game tight, 35-34. Giedraitis hit a three, and Tubelis finished the half with a powerful dunk, giving Zalgiris a 42-40 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter, Birutis added a free throw before Francisco drove to the basket and assisted Birutis for a dunk, 47-47. Giedraitis hit another three, Wright completed an and-one, and Sleva added points as Zalgiris maintained a small lead. Despite several missed free throws, the hosts stayed in front, with Giedraitis hitting his fourth three-pointer to make it 63-58.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Ulanovas converted two of three free throws, and Francisco knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to extend the lead, 71-63. Wright added another and-one and assisted Tubelis inside, helping Zalgiris pull away, 76-66. Late contributions from Wright, Nigel Williams‑Goss, and Sleva secured the 85-75 victory and a 1-0 series lead.
Francisco led the team with 20 points and 6 assists. Wright had 15 points and 8 rebounds in the win.
