Zenit defeated CSKA in the Semifinals Game 2 at home – 93:81 (27:18, 19:19, 27:25, 20:19).
Game progress
The hosts started the game well. Three-pointers helped Zenit to take the lead in the first quarter. Only by the end of the quarter CSKA offense started to make some shots – by that point, Zenit had a 13-point lead. Melo Trimble and Olivier Hanlan duo allowed the Moscow team to cut the deficit to 5 points, but Xavi Pascual team still trailed at the end of the first half – 46:37
Zenit continued to control the game in the second half. Sergey Karasev and Zenit point guards kept the hosts within 8-10 points.
Key moment
At the start of the fourth quarter, CSKA made another run. Hanlan and Trimble helped the Moscow team to get within 4 points. However, Zenit immediately responded, forcing CSKA coaching staff to take a timeout. The pause didn’t help the guests, as CSKA couldn’t inbound the ball and Karasev immediately punished with another three-pointer (91-77).
A 14-point difference with a minute to go gave the Moscow team no chance to hang on to the lead. The Series goes to Moscow with the score 1-1.
X-Factor
Zenit offense was not performing well last game, so Xavi Pascual changed by adding Trent Frazier into the starting lineup for the first time since March 17. That proved to be the right move – Zenit scored 26 more points than in the first game of the Series, and Frazier was one of the best players in the game with 8 assists and 2 turnovers.
Fact
Sergey Karasev reached 2,500 points in the United League. He became the fourth player in the League history to achieve this milestone, after Alexey Shved, Vitaly Fridzon and Semen Antonov. In addition, Zenit veteran set a career-high 27 eff. points.
Leaders
Zenit: Sergey Karasev (22 + 4 steals), Trent Frazier (20 + 8 assists), Vince Hunter (14), Thomas Heurtel (14 + 9 assists).
CSKA: Melo Trimble (19), Olivier Hanlan (18), Amath M’Baye (13), Livio Jean-Charles (8 + 5 rebounds), Tonye Jekiri (8 + 5 rebounds).
What’s next
May 10 in Moscow.
