Zenit defeated Lokomotiv Kuban in Semifinals Game 7 at home – 94:75 (17:14, 21:23, 25:15, 31:23).
Game progress
Zenit started the series with 2 home wins, Loko responded in Krasnodar, then the teams again exchanged wins at home. The first half of the game confirmed status of Game 7. The teams fought in every possession, both were not great in offense (34.3% by the hosts and 43.3% for the guests), but made up for it with dedication and desire. Patrick Miller (8) and Kirill Elatontsev (10) led Loko, while Zenit had Vince Hunter (10) and Dwayne Bacon (14). The forward buzzer beater helped the hosts to get lead by halftime – 38:37.
The third quarter was a turning point. Zenit switched on defense, limiting the opponent to 15 points in 10 minutes. The St. Petersburg team offense did well too – Trent Frazier three-pointers inspired a 12-0 run that gave Zenit a double-digit lead before the final quarter – 63:32.
Key moment
Lokomotiv Kuban managed to make slight comeback, which was led by Patrick Miller. The guests cut the deficit to 5 points.
Zenit quickly responded: Frazier made three-pointer and Okaro White scored the shot. Then Alexey Shved got involved, the guard pushed the Krasnodar team to 14-point differencial. Loko continued to fight to the last, but never got any closer.
X-factor
Lokomotiv Kuban 12 missed free-throw shots (21/33, 63.6%) slowed down the team.
Facts
The MVP of Regular Season Dwayne Bacon scored 34 points – the League’s all-time high in Game 7 and League career-high.
Zenit advances to the Finals and will face the reigning champion CSKA.
The hosts won all 7 games of the Semifinals.
Leaders
Zenit: Dwayne Bacon (34 + 8 rebounds), Vince Hunter (18 + 8 rebounds + 6 blocks), Alexey Shved (13 + 5 assists), Trent Frazier (11 + 5 assists)
Lokomotiv Kuban: Patrick Miller (15 + 5 rebounds + 5 assists), Tahjere McCall (12 + 7 rebounds), Isaiah Whaley (11 + 6 rebounds), Kirill Elatontsev (11), Antonius Cleveland (10 + 5 rebounds)
What’s next
Zenit: Finals on May 27 against CSKA in St. Petersburg.
Lokomotiv Kuban: 3rd Place Series on May 26 versus UNICS in Kazan.
