Zenit beat Lokomotiv-Kuban at home – 90:85 (35:22, 13:20, 23:21, 19:22).
Top scorers
Zenit: Will Thomas (30 + 11 rebounds), K.C. Rivers (16), Kevin Pangos (13 + 5 assists).
Lokomotiv-Kuban: Jordan Crawford (20), Drew Gordon (15), Mantas Kalnietis (14 + 7 assists), Mindaugas Kuzminskas (14).
Story
Zenit approached the game on the first place with 11-1 record. The only defeat Petersburg suffered in Krasnodar that were 4th with 9-5 record. The start of the game was even but then Zenit managed to make 9:0 run that made their lead double digits. The guests pulled themselves together and tried to counterattack but Zenit were red hot from beyond the arc, Billy Baron hit three of those in the first. On fire Zenit scored 35 points in the first 10 minutes and were up by 12.
👌 @zenitbasket забивает 7 трехочковых в 1-й четверти против «Локо»! pic.twitter.com/oTmv166LK8
— VTB League (@VTBUL) January 31, 2021
Another Baron’s three and mid-range shot by Anton Pushkov made Loko’s situation tough. Kuban stood and came back to the game, thanks to patience, defense and Mindaugas Kuzminskas with Jordan Crawford who scored next 12 team points, each 6. The game got closer and by the end of the first half 48:42 were on scoreboard in Zenit favor.
After the half time Will Thomas scored 9 points, Zenit paced up 10:2. Lokomotiv stood one more time, Kuzminskas and Will Cummings took the initiative. Despite the strong start the hosts won the third 23:21 but were up ahead 71:63 by the final quarter.
All game long Zenit were hot from down town. But in the beginning of the fourth it was Loko’s sharp shooting time. Mantas Kalnietis, Jordan Crawford and Kuzminskas long-range bombs let Kuban force the clutch.
Key moment
Lokomotiv cut the big gap twice during the game but they didn’t manage to make the final step to their comeback. With 2 minutes left Kevin Pangos hi the three – 88:80. In the answering possession debutant Drew Gordon commited an offensive foul. In the remaining time Zenit made it to the victory taking revenge on the only defeat this season and keeping the first spot.
Hero
Will Thomas. Forward was extremely efficient: 30 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals with 9 from 15 from the field. 36 efficiency points is season’s 8th best result.
Stat
61 – Zenit’s three-point percentage tonight (13 from 21).
Comments
Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual:
— Firstly, we like the way we played tonight. It is an important victory after a double week in Euroleague. I can say that we were concentrated at defense and offense. During 25-26 minutes we were showing some high-class basketball on both ends. Of course, we didn’t avoid problems. I want to congratulate Lokomotiv, they showed their team spirit tonight and always tried to get back to the game. We gained a comfortable lead in the first half and then were controlling the game, thus I guess we got that important victory. Will Thomas felt it tonight, we tried to use him more. He spent a perfect game and helped the team a lot.
Lokomotiv-Kuban head coach Evgeny Pashutin:
— Zenit are aggressive and experienced team. We have to play better in clutch, make smart fouls and read the game in the endings when 2-3 possessions can decide the game. We attempted two tough contested corner shots, Zenit punished us for it. The game was hot and physical. Now we have Drew Gordon, we acted more confident in the paint with him but still lost the rebound. Congratulations to Zenit, they deserved the win. We are moving forward and prepare for the EuroCup game.
Next
Zenit: February 2 vs Nizhny Novgorod
Lokomotiv-Kuban: February 8 @ Khimki
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