CSKA defeated Zenit in Finals Game 5 on the road – 89:84 (15:16, 23:24, 23:27, 28:17).
Game progress
The importance of the game was evident in the opening minutes. Both teams had a hard time getting into the game and spent some time trying to find offense. The first quarter was not productive at all. The teams scored 31 points combined. At the same time, the St. Petersburg team took the lead with Alexey Shved shots – 16:15.
At the start of the second quarter, the game became more focused on offense. But there was no clear leader. The lead had changed a lot, but neither managed to seriously get away. As a result, Zenit had minimal lead by halftime – 40:38.
The game tensity resulted in several clashes during the third quarter. The hosts managed to control emotions better. At one point, Zenit was able to confidently take the lead. At the start of the fourth quarter, the St. Petersburg team’s lead became double digits for the first time in the game – 72:61.
Key moment
But the hosts were unable to maintain such a solid lead. Great defense and brilliant offense by Livio Jean-Charles, Melo Trimble, and Aleksa Avramovic allowed the Moscow team to take the initiative. After Casper Ware free throws with 3 minutes to go, the Moscow team took the lead – 81:80. Vince Hunter restored Zenit lead, but Aleksa Avramovic took it again.
CSKA guard scored 6 points in a row. His free throws helped to sealed the game – 87:82.
X-factor
Aleksa Avramovic has been very inconsistent in this series. But the guard brilliant actions at the end became one of the main factors of the Moscow team win. The Serbian guard made several important steals during the comeback in the final quarter, and then scored key shots in the final minutes.
Facts
CSKA won its second game in a row and regained the lead in Finals – 3-2.
Dwayne Bacon broke the VTB League record for scoring in a single season. Zenit forward became the first player in the history to score more than 1,000 points in a single season. After today’s game, Bacon has 1,006 points.
CSKA trailed by 13 points in the last quarter – 63:76.
Leaders
Zenit: Dwayne Bacon (24), Alexey Shved (17), Trent Frazier (16), Vince Hunter (10 + 6 rebounds)
CSKA: Melo Trimble (23 + 6 assists + 5 rebounds), Casper Ware (16 + 5 rebounds), Livio Jean-Charles (11 + 7 rebounds), Aleksa Avramovic (11)
What’s next
Game 6 on June 9 in Moscow.
