Lokomotiv Kuban defeated Zenit in Semifinals Game 4 at home – 96:88 (15:20, 22:24, 21:20, 20:14, 18:10).
Game progress
Unlike the previous game, the guests were able to impose own pace on the opponent from the very first minutes. The St. Petersburg team felt pretty confident in a tight positional game. Pick-and-roll offense and the individual skill of leaders allowed to take the lead. At the start of the second quarter, Zenit lead reached 9 points – 26:17.
The Krasnodar team stayed in the game with Antonius Cleveland’s 14 points. The guests held the lead and had 7-point advantage by halftime – 44:37.
The St. Petersburg team managed to maintain the lead in the third quarter, but the Krasnodar team managed to break Zenit in fourth quarter. Aggressive defense and 2 three-pointers by John Jenkins helped the hosts tie the game – 67:67. The end of regulation turned into tense ending, which provided fans with first overtime in current Semifinals.
Key moment
Patrick Miller was the hero of overtime. Loko guard scored in 3 consecutive offensive possessions and gave his team an 8-point lead with 1.5 minute left – 90:82.
There was a lot of fight and emotions in the remaining time, but the hosts did not let advantage away. Loko picked up the second win in a row and tied the score in the Semifinals.
X-factor
Patrick Miller didn’t look too bright in regulation. But he led Loko in overtime. His made shots gave the Krasnodar team a comfortable lead to win the game.
Miller had 24 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds.
Facts
With tonight’s win, Loko ties series with Zenit – 2-2. The series is up to 4 wins.
Miller scored 14 points to set new VTB League all-time high scored points in overtime. The previous record of 13 points belonged to Scott Machado, Kalev (vs. Krasnye Krylia, February 11, 2015) and Tyrell Nelson, Uralmash (vs. MBA, February 4, 2024).
The previous overtime in the Playoffs was exactly 2 years ago. On May 13, 2023, Loko lost to UNICS in the Finals – 88:90.
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: Antonius Cleveland (25 + 7 rebounds), Patrick Miller (24 + 8 assists + 7 rebounds), Tahjere McCall (14), Isaiah Whaley (12 + 7 rebounds).
Zenit: Vince Hunter (15 + 6 rebounds), Alexey Shved (12 + 6 assists), Trent Frazier (12 + 9 assists), Okaro White (10).
What’s next
May 16 in St. Petersburg.
