The second game of the Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe-LKL) finals took place. Kaunas Žalgiris defeated Vilnius Rytas 83:79 (15:20, 21:13, 21:22, 26:24) on the road, leveling the series at 1:1. The third final game will be held in Kaunas on Tuesday at 18:30. The series is played to three wins.
The capital team started the match stronger, with Artūras Gudaitis and Jayvon Graves helping Rytas take a 7:0 lead. Ignas Brazdeikis scored the first points for Žalgiris a couple of minutes later, and Bryantas Dunston added to the score, making it 4:7. R.J. Cole extended Vilnius’ advantage to 12:4, and Margiris Normantas pushed the lead into double digits at 14:4. Andrea Trinchieri called a timeout, after which Dunston scored and D. Sirvydis hit a three-pointer, narrowing the gap to 9:14. Rytas maintained control until the end of the first quarter, leading 20:15.
Brazdeikis and Alen Smailagičius reduced the deficit, and with Edgaras Ulanovas, the gap was only two points at 22:24. D. Sirvydis tied the score at 24:24, marking the first tie of the match, and shortly after Žalgiris took the lead for the first time at 26:24. Gytis Radzevičius responded with a three-pointer, and Žalgiris quickly answered in kind. Vilnius capitalized on missed opportunities, going into halftime ahead 36:33.
After a strong Rytas run, the score was tied at 38:38. The hosts regained the lead, and Ąžuolas Tubelis missed a dunk that could have extended it to 41:40. B. Dunston scored to answer, and S. Francisco increased Žalgiris’ advantage to 47:43. Parker Jackson-Cartwright prevented Žalgiris from pulling away, and Margiris Normantas tied the score at 51:51. Teams exchanged mistakes, and D. Sirvydis broke the scoring drought, making it 56:53. After more errors from Kaunas, Žalgiris held a slim lead at 57:55 after three quarters.
The tight battle continued at 59:59, and J. Graves scored two points with a foul to answer a three-pointer by D. Sirvydis, making it 62:62. Vilnius pulled ahead again to 66:62, while a technical foul was given to Andrea Trinchieri and I. Brazdeikis. Rytas converted free throws to make it 69:62, but Brazdeikis scored on the next attack to bring Žalgiris to 64:69.
With half a quarter remaining, Žibėnas’ team stayed ahead, though A. Butkevičius had a chance at free throws, reducing the score to 69:70. P. Jackson-Cartwright hit a long-range shot, but E. Ulanovas’ free throws tied the game at 73:73. With just over two minutes left, S. Francisco scored inside for 75:73, and P. Jackson-Cartwright drew a foul. E. Ulanovas added two points to make it 77:73, but Ą. Tubelis responded with a three-pointer, 76:77. The visitors repeated this, bringing the score to 80:78.
With 17 seconds left, A. Smailagičius hit both free throws for 82:78, and A. Gudaitis added one, securing the win for Žalgiris.
Rytas: Parker Jackson-Cartwright 20, Artūras Gudaitis 11, R.J. Cole 9 (5 fouls), Ąžuolas Tubelis and Margiris Normantas 8 each, Jayvon Graves 6.
Žalgiris: Deividas Sirvydis 20 (5/6 three-pointers), Sylvain Francisco 14 (1/6 three-pointers, 3 assists), Ignas Brazdeikis 10, Edgaras Ulanovas 9, Bryantas Dunston and Dovydas Giedraitis 8 each.