LTU – Zalgiris dodge bullet in semi-final opener

KAUNAS (LKL) - If anyone thinks Zalgiris Kaunas are going to waltz into the play-off finals of the Lithuania LKL, they've got another thing coming.

Siauliai threw a scare into the Baltic giants in the opening game of their LKL play-off semi-final series on Wednesday but came up just short with the Kaunas club prevailing 83-81.

Zalgiris coach Darius Maskoliunas was in no mood to celebrate after the game.

"Some players were so nervous, it was as if they were playing against an NBA team,” Maskoliunas said.

Marcus Brown and Martynas Pocius scored 17 points apiece for Zalgiris.

Siauliai led 73-67 in the fourth quarter when Zalgiris reeled off nine straight points.

Pocius had the good fortune of making a three-pointer with the help of a backboard and Tadas Klimavicius then followed with a basket to close the gap to one.

Brown and Klimavicius followed with four straight free-throws as Zalgiris took a 76-73 advantage.

They ended up holding on for a two-point win.

Deivydas Gailius drilled five of eight shots from long range and finished with a game-high 24 points for Siauliai.

Lietuvos Rytas, meanwhile, lead their semi-final tie with Juventus 1-0.

Both series resume on April 28.

FIBA