CSKA defeated Zenit in Finals Game 1 on the road – 82:80 (30:13, 18:23, 18:24, 16:20).
Game progress
The tense Semifinals seems to have taken Zenit strength. At the start of this game, the St. Petersburg team was able to equalise game, but then CSKA began to take a quick lead. After Amath M’Baye three-poniter, CSKA had a double-digit lead for the first time in the game – 21:10. The guests really had a lot going. The first quarter ended with a buzzer-beater by Tonye Jekiri. The lead reached 20 points in second quarter – 36:16.
But the hosts were able to boost game. Xavier Pascual managed to equalise the game with the help of rotation. And at the end of the second quarter, the St. Petersburg team even looked better than the opponent. Denis Zakharov and Okaro White came off the bench and made several shots, which allowed Zenit to cut the deficit to 12 points by halftime – 36:48.
The hosts came out motivated for the second half. Georgy Zhbanov was the most energetic. His actions triggered Zenit to get closer. After the guard’s long-range shot, the St. Petersburg team deficit was cut to 5 points – 45:50.
Key moment
The beginning of the final quarter was Dwayne Bacon time. The forward finished several possessions in a row, Zenit took the lead for the first time in a long time – 73:68. But the Moscow team was able to put an end to breakthrough, levelled the game and even took the lead in the end.
The game went into clutch. The time to shine for starts has come. But this time this did not work for both teams. First, Melo Trimble couldn’t get the offense going. And on the return possession, Bacon couldn’t make the shot. Such game was better for the guests. M`Baye set the final score with free-throws – 82:80.
X-factor
For the last 5 games, a new player has been CSKA’s top scorer each time. In this game, Tonye Jekiri was the leader. The center made 7 of 10 field-goal shots and 4 of 5 free throws. He also got 10 rebounds with 19 points.
Facts
Today’s game was the 100th game in the VTB United League for Melo Trimble and Amath M’Baye.
Georgy Zhbanov made the 1,000-point. After this game, the Zenit guard now has 1,006 points in the VTB League.
This game broke Zenit home winning streak. The St. Petersburg team had not lost at home for 16 games.
Dwayne Bacon scored 19 of Zenit 20 points in the final quarter.
Leaders
Zenit: Dwayne Bacon (28 + 6 rebounds), Okaro White (15).
CSKA: Tonye Jekiri (19 + 10 rebounds), Melo Trimble (16 + 7 assists), Amath M’Baye (14), Livio Jean-Charles (11).
What’s next
Game 2 on May 30 in St. Petersburg.
