Rytas Vilnius became the first finalist of the Basketball Champions League after defeating La Laguna Tenerife 87-69 in commanding fashion. The Lithuanian team controlled the game throughout, dictating the pace from start to finish. Jerrick Harding's outstanding 29-point performance was crucial in securing Vilnius's spot in Saturday's final in Badalona. La Laguna Tenerife struggled throughout and Marcelinho (21 points) was left isolated on offense. Poor three-point shooting (2 of 16) ended the Canary Islands team's hopes of reaching the championship game.
The first semifinal of this Basketball Champions League began at a frenetic pace. Marcelinho Huertas (6 points) was commanding, as expected, La Laguna Tenerife's offense (9-8 at the 5-minute mark). All of Txus Vidorreta's team's attacks ran through the Brazilian's hands, who had started the game very effectively.
However, the rhythm of the game belonged to the Lithuanian squad. Speedy Smith (5 points) became the offensive leader for Vilnius, who after a three-pointer by Jordan Caroline, achieved their largest lead (16-11 at the 7-minute mark). The Rytas fans made their presence felt at the Olímpic de Badalona.
Txus Vidorreta made substitutions in search of a spark. The changes worked well for the Tenerife team, who after a 1-6 run, tied the game (17-17 at the 9-minute mark). The entry of Fran Guerra (5 points) had given strength in the paint to La Laguna. A free throw by Gytis Masiulis left the score at 18-17, the result with which the first quarter ended.
The start of the second quarter was Lithuanian. The energy of Jerrick Harding (7 points) was key in the new surge by Giedrius Zibenas's team. A fast-break dunk by Martynas Paliukenas put it at 28-21 in the middle of the period. Vidorreta was forced to call a timeout to stop the bleeding. The attitude of his team was not correct.
The reprimand had an effect. La Laguna attacked with better judgment and play by play began cutting into the deficit. The tireless Marcelinho-Shermadini connection brought the island team closer (35-32), who had really struggled. Despite another run by Vilnius, a sensational set-play finish by La Laguna Tenerife completed by Shermadini (7 points) left the game wide open heading into the second half (40-34 at the 20-minute mark).
After halftime, Rytas Vilnius came out determined to pull away. Speedy Smith's points (12 points) put the Lithuanian team's largest lead (49-38 at the 22-minute mark). Tenerife seemed to lack a bit of intensity.
When things looked worst for Txus Vidorreta's team, they turned to the omnipresent Marcelinho. His points (17) and his mastery in running the offense brought the yellow team back to life (49-46 at the 27-minute mark).
Despite this last Tenerife surge, Rytas did not get nervous. Like an accordion, Vilnius pulled away on the scoreboard again. Harding's points (19 points) and outside accuracy (6 of 20) were key in the new Lithuanian surge (62-53 at the 30-minute mark). La Laguna Tenerife was against the ropes. The game was being played at the pace set by Rytas, Huertas alone could not do it all and the poor shooting from three-point range (1 of 12) did not invite optimism.
Tenerife was knocked out. The difference grew larger and Vidorreta found no solutions to reverse the situation (70-56 at the 33-minute mark). The resistance of the island team ended here. Jerrick Harding (29 points) was on fire and the final minutes were clearly Lithuanian. The game had little more narrative. Rytas Vilnius won the game 87-69, becoming the first finalist of this Basketball Champions League in Badalona.