Zenit defeated PARMA in Quarterfinals Game 1 at home – 102:68 (22:16, 25:21, 29:14, 26:17).

Game progress
At the start of the game, the teams had problems with making shots and demonstrated tight defense. PARMA had a good start, but quickly got into foul trouble. Zenit started getting free throws more often and made 10-2 run to take a lead – 22:16. The break helped the guests, as the Perm team improved un offense and regularly scored points in the paint. The St. Petersburg team responded with 5 long-range shots. Zenit had a 10-point lead by halftime – 47:37.

Key moment
The St. Petersburg team picked up the pace and managed to double the lead with a 17-5 run – 64:42. The hosts regularly found open shots with good ball movement, while the guests often made bad shots and turnovers.

Xavier Pascual team scored 9 more points in the opening minutes of the final quarter, after which the score difference reached 30, and the Perm team had no energy left for a comeback. The hosts confidently got win in Quarterfinals Game 1.

X-factor
Important reason for Zenit confident win was aggressive defense. The St. Petersburg team caused PARMA to make 14 turnovers and made only 4.

Facts
Xavier Pascual won his 150th VTB United League game. It took the Spanish specialist 203 games to reach this achievement.

Evgeny Pashutin had his 400th game in the VTB United League, becoming the first coach to reach that number.

Zenit scored 100+ points in Playoffs game for the first time since April 2023. The last time the St. Petersburg team scored 100 points in Semifinals against UNICS.

Alexey Shved scored 8 points and made it to 4,500 in career.

Leaders
Zenit: Dwayne Bacon (21), Georgy Zhbanov (13), Alex Poythress (11).
PARMA: Royce Hamm (21 + 8 rebounds), Stanley Whittaker (10 + 6 assists).

What’s next
Game 2 on April 24 in St. Petersburg