Zenit defeated CSKA in Finals Game 3 on the road – 91:83 (24:21, 18:29, 24:18, 25:15).
Game progress
Three-pointers by Andrey Vorontsevich allowed Zenit to take the lead in the opening quarter. But the Moscow team took seized the initiative. Aleksa Avramovic set the stage for a 10-point run that gave the Moscow team the lead. The Moscow team was ahead for most of the opening quarter. But the St. Petersburg team took the lead in the end. Alexey Shved and Okaro White helped the guests to get the lead back – 24:21.
Anton Astapkovich and Melo Trimble organized a 7-point run, after which the hosts regained the lead in the game – 32:29. The Moscow team didn’t stop there. A great defense against Dwayne Bacon (2 points, 1 of 7) and several three-pointers allowed CSKA to further increase the lead by halftime – 50:42.
Key moment
Bacon awakening allowed Zenit to catch up with CSKA at the start of the third quarter. The game was equal throughout most of the second half. The Moscow team relied on bigmen, while the St. Petersburg team relied on Bacon and Trent Frazier.
The game went into clutch, when the guests looked noticeably better. Zenit final run started with a long-range shot by White. Georgy Zhbanov followed his lead either lay-up. Frazier free throws sealed the lead. Less than a minute before the end, the lead reached 8 points – 88:80. In the remaining time, the Moscow team tried to save the game with tactical fouls, but failed.
X-factor
Three-pointers were the key in this game. The St. Petersburg team made 15 three-pointers (15 of 28 – 53.6%) and set a club Playoffs-high this season. Vorontsevich and White made 5 three-pointers each and were the main shooters for the winners.
Facts
Zenit won second game in a row and took the lead in Finals – 2:1. The St. Petersburg team regained home court advantage.
The Moscow team ended 12-game home winning streak.
Leaders
CSKA: Melo Trimble (16), Tonye Jekiri (15 + 8 rebounds), Amath M’Baye (15), Casper Ware (14 + 5 assists).
Zenit: Dwayne Bacon (19 + 5 rebounds), Trent Frazier (19), Okaro White (17), Andrey Vorontsevich (15).
What’s next
Game 4 on June 3 in Moscow.
