Zalgiris wins in Pasvalys, gets to LKL semifinal 0

Zalgiris Kaunas reached the semifinal of Lithuanian League (LKL). On Saturday Zalgiris defeated Pieno Zvaigzdes Pasvalys on the road 80-74 and swept the quarterfinal series 2-0.

The greens started the second quarterfinal match on a high note. Robertas Javtokas rocked the rim while Justin Dentmon and Martynas Pocius made long-distance shots – 8-2. Javtokas scored his fourth point, captain Paulius Jankunas hit the three-pointer and a mid-range shot, sniper Arturas Milaknis made another three and Zalgiris reached a double-digit lead for the first time in the game – 18-8. During the last minutes of the quarter Kaunas‘ team collected points only from the free-throw line. Pieno zvaigzdes ran the offense well and reduced the deficit to 6 points after the first period – 21-15.

Zalgiris successfully worked in defense, while Pocius and youngster Vytenis Cizauskas collected easy points in offense (26-19). After long-range shots of Marty and Justin Dentmon, Javtokas tipped the ball to the basket and returned a double-digit lead – 34-23. Dentmon continued his solo performance. The point guard hit from the distance, then successfully played closer to the basket. However, Pieno zvaigzdes made seven free-throws and after two periods Zalgiris had an eight-point advantage – 40-32.

In the third quarter Pocius provoked fourth foul of Rolandas Alijevas and made a nice crossover during the other Kaunas‘ team attack. He received a help from Vytenis Lipkevicius, who stole the ball, performed an effective dunk, made a three-pointer and helped Zalgiris to sustain the lead (47-39). The greens kept running the offense well and after a long-range shot of Cizauskas the advantage of visitors was ten points – 60-50.

Pieno zvaigzdes did not want to give up and even though Cizauskas hit another three-pointer, the lead was cut to five points – 63-58. Important points for Kaunas‘ team were scored by Milaknis and Lipkevicius, who respectively made a long-range shot and a nice cross (70-64). Zalgiris did not make any crucial mistakes during the last minutes of the game. Great plays of Pocius and captain Jankunas helped the greens to sustain a lead and win the quarterfinal series‘ game – 80-74.

Top scorers:

Zalgiris: M.Pocius 16, P.Jankunas 13+6reb+2stl, J.Dentmon 13+4ast, V.Cizauskas 12+3stl, V.Lipkevicius 7, A.Milaknis 7, R.Javtokas 6+6reb, T.Klimavicius 4, Gudaitis 1, Jasikevicius 1, S.Vene 0.

Pieno zvaigzdes: A.Jomantas 15+7reb+2stl, D.Mitchell 13, Z.Jonusas 12+6reb, R.Alijevas 12.