Zalgiris Kaunas started the Betsafe-LKL semi-final series with a victory. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated CBet Jonava 73-61 (16-17, 22-10, 14-25, 21-9) at Zalgirio Arena. The second game of the best-of-five series will be played in Jonava on Saturday and the series will return to Kaunas on Tuesday, 3 June.
Arnas Butkevicius drove to the basket in the first possession, and the opponents responded with 5 points, 2-5. Then Laurynas Birutis scored 6 points and Ignas Brazdeikis added a two-pointer, 10-5. Jonava evened the score (10-10), and although Matt Mitchell and Deividas Sirvydis made a three-pointer apiece, Zalgiris trailed 16-17 after the first quarter.
Smailagic started the second quarter with a three-pointer, Sylvain Francisco added 4 points, and Smailagic and Brazdeikis increased the lead to 28-21. Smailagic and Francisco scored 4 more points each, Brazdeikis increased the margin to double digits, 38-27.
Brazdeikis made a cut to the basket and sank free throws, Francisco hit a three-pointer, 45-36. Bryant Dunston’s made two shots, but the opponents slowly closed the gap, 50-46. Edgaras Ulanovas scored his first points, while the score got tied at 52-52.
Smailagic, Francisco and Ulanovas started the fourth period with 8 straight points, 60-52. Ulanovas made another two-pointer, Smailagic added 5 points, Francisco hit 2 free throws and Brazdeikis closed the game with a long-range shot, 73-61.
Smailagic was the leading scorer with 16 points. Francisco collected 15 points and 8 assists. Brazdeikis tallied 13 points and 9 rebounds.
