Lietuvos Rytas edge Neptunas in Game 5, return to Betsafe LKL Finals

Lietuvos Rytas returned to the Betsafe LKL Finals after a two-year absence, downing Neptunas 88-82 in the decisive Game 5 of a close-fought Semi-Final series at the Siemens Arena on Wednesday.

Just like the previous contests in the series, it was a nail-biting affair until the very last minutes, with the home side gaining the winning edge only in the fourth quarter.

The hosts entered the final frame down 61-60, but Rokas Giedraitis took Lietuvos Rytas on his back by collecting 12 of his 18 points in the final period.

Former Neptunas players Mindaugas Girdziunas was the top scorer for the Vilnius side with 20 points and 5 assists, Loukas Mavrokefalidis netted 16 points, while Martynas Echodas chipped in with 14.

Brandon Fields had a game-high 21 points and 8 assists for the visitors from Klaipeda, Renaldas Seibutis collected 15 points, with Edgaras Zelionis and Tomas Delininkaitis scoring 10 each.

Lietuvos Rytas will now face the defending Betsafe LKL champions in the best-of-seven Finals, while Neptunas will take on Lietkabelis for bronze in a best-of-five series.