CSKA defeated Samara on the road – 82:63 (17:17, 20:9, 25:20, 20:17).
Game progress
The hosts started actively and opened the scoring in their very first possession. The Moscow team struggled to find their rhythm for a long time, and in the middle of the starting quarter, CSKA head coach Andreas Pistiolis was even forced to call a timeout. This move did not have an immediate effect. Moreover, after Mikhail Kulagin three-pointer, Samara took a 6-point lead – 17:11.
Only then the Moscow team got into the game. Aggressive defense, dominance on rebounding and individual skill helped the guests to make an 16-point run – 27:17.
The guests took the lead and got it till the end. The Volga team showed flashes, but it wasn’t enough. Throughout the second half, CSKA maintained a double-digit lead and secured a confident win.
X-factor
The Moscow team made less turnovers in this game (6-14) and looked more confident in paint (14-6). This gave 16 extra possessions. This factor was one of the keys to CSKA’s overall success. It was especially helpful to the guests in the first half, when Samara had trouble with making shots.
Facts
The teams had 9 head-to-head games. The Moscow team won all.
Samara is the second team in VTB League history (after MBA-MAI) to start the season with an entirely Russian roster.
Mikhail Kulagin has the longest active streak of made free throws in European basketball. After today’s game, he has made 42 consecutive free throws
Leaders
Samara: Nikita Mikhailovskii (19 + 8 rebounds), Mikhail Kulagin (14)
CSKA: Livio Jean-Charles (22 + 5 rebounds), Tonye Jekiri (18 + 5 rebounds), Melo Trimble (10 + 8 rebounds + 6 assists)
What’s next
Samara: October 4 on the road versus Avtodor
CSKA: October 5 on the road against BETCITY PARMA.
