Lokomotiv-Kuban ties the series in Kaunas 0

Lokomotiv-Kuban (Russia) defeated Zalgiris (Lithuania) on the road, 85-63, in Game 2 of their VTB United League Playoffs semifinal series. The first half was close, but Krasnodar’s surge in the third quarter led to a 20-point lead, which decided the game’s outcome.

Intro
Marko Popovic started for Zalgiris, after missing the first five playoff games. The energetic Croatian guard was aggressive in his return, but Zalgiris’s offense in the early going was a pale imitation of the master class put on the night before. Evgeny Pashutin made significant adjustments. His players took away Kaunas’s most dangerous weapon in the first quarter – three-point shooting (Zalgiris went just 1-5 from the beyond the arc in the period). Steady on defense, Lokomotiv played more creatively at the other end, holding a 38-34 lead at halftime, a vast improvement over the home team’s first half romp in Game 1.

At the beginning of the third quarter, Kuban put together a 15-2 run thanks to Nicholas Calathes and Derrick Brown. For those who watched Game 1, the situation on the court was eerily similar – one team couldn’t make a mistake, while the other team appeared clueless – except that tonight Lokomotiv was the squad in control. The lead eventually reached 20 points, 57-37, with 3:58 to play in the quarter.

But Mindaugas Kuzminskas helped Zalgiris push back. The home team ripped off its own 9-0 run, capped by a Kuzminskas offensive rebound and Oliver Lafayette 3-pointer, as Kaunas trimmed the lead to 11, 57-46, with 2:10 remaining in the third.

Loko wouldn’t allow Zalgiris to get any closer. Mantas Kalnietis knocked one down from beyond the arc, Brown dunked on an excellent Valery Likhodei pass and the two teams entered the fourth quarter with the visitors on top, 62-48.

Turning Point
Trailing by 14 points to start the final period, Zalgiris had to make a quick move. Instead, Richard Hendrix pumped in six points in the paint (his first points of the game) and Krasnodar restored its 20-point lead. They took better care this time, keeping the Baltic club from making a late-game comeback.

Despite getting blown out in Game 1, Kuban came roaring back in Game 2 to silence Zalgiris Arena and steal the home-court advantage.

Star of the Game
Derrick Brown. The 25-year-old American forward clearly doesn’t like to be blown out. He played terribly in Game 1 (six points, one rebound). On Saturday, Derrick couldn’t be stopped, collecting 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Stat of the Game
22. After losing by 27 points on Friday, Krasnodar came back and pasted the Lithuanians by 22 points in Game 2. An impressive response from Evgeny Pashutin’s men.

Top Performers
Zalgiris: Darjus Lavrinovic – 12 points, six rebounds; Adas Juskevicius – 11 points; Oliver Lafayette – nine points, six assists.

Lokomotiv-Kuban: Derrick Brown – 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists; Valery Likhodei – 17 points; Richard Hendrix – 12 points, six rebounds; Nicholas Calathes – 10 points, eight assists; Mantas Kalnietis – 10 points, eight assists.