The thrilling finale of the Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe-LKL) continues. Kaunas Žalgiris erased a double-digit deficit on the road and edged Vilnius Rytas 84:83 (15:24, 26:22, 13:22, 30:15).
The series is now tied 2-2 in a best-of-five format. The decisive fifth game will take place Saturday in Kaunas.
The game began evenly: Jayvon Graves gave Rytas an early lead, but Ignas Brazdeikis answered with two points – 6:6. The visitors briefly pulled ahead (8:7), yet R.J. Cole responded (9:8). Midway through the quarter, after Deividas Sirvydis’ shot, Žalgiris led 10:9. The lead changed hands several times until Rytas’ foreign players scored five unanswered points – 18:13. Steven Enoch stepped to the line for four free throws following a technical foul on I. Brazdeikis and an unsportsmanlike foul on D. Sirvydis. After the first quarter, Rytas led 24:15.
Ignas Sargiūnas extended Rytas’ advantage (31:17), and Gytis Radzevičius added two more points, prompting a timeout from Andrea Trinchieri – 17:33. Bryantas Dunston and Dovydas Giedraitis trimmed the lead to a single digit – 26:35. Free throws kept Žalgiris alive, and R.J. Cole’s three-pointer restored a double-digit margin – 41:30. Žalgiris responded before halftime, trailing by just five points – 41:46.
R.J. Cole and G. Radzevičius prevented Žalgiris from closing in (55:43), maintaining a double-digit lead (62:49). M. Normantas made free throws, and Parker Jackson-Cartwright scored a two-pointer (66:49). With one minute left in the quarter, Rytas held firm at 68:54.
Žalgiris tried to ignite a comeback. I. Brazdeikis, D. Giedraitis, and E. Ulanovas cut the deficit to five points – 63:68. R.J. Cole hit another three-pointer (71:63), while A. Gudaitis scored crucial points, bringing Rytas closer to victory – 75:67.
I. Brazdeikis scored again (71:75), S. Francisco added points (74:76), with four minutes remaining. A. Gudaitis had to leave the court due to foul trouble. S. Francisco made free throws (76:78), followed by Ą. Tubelis’ basket (80:76). Francisco then drove for a layup, and I. Brazdeikis made a free throw (79:80). Rytas failed to score on the next possession. Francisco’s free throw gave Žalgiris the lead (81:80) with 43 seconds remaining.
Rytas had possession; M. Normantas drew a foul and converted both free throws – 82:81. Francisco missed a shot under the basket with nine seconds left, and Žalgiris retained possession. I. Sargiūnas missed both free throws, and S. Francisco nailed the decisive three-pointer.
Rytas: R.J.Cole‘as 22, Artūras Gudaitis 14, Ignas Sargiūnas 9, Parkeris Jacksonas-Cartwrightas 7, Stevenas Enochas ir Jayvonas Gravesas – po 6.
Žalgiris: Sylvainas Francisco (7 rez. perd.) 29, Ignas Brazdeikis 26, Dovydas Giedraitis 7, Edgaras Ulanovas ir Laurynas Birutis – po 6.