Avtodor defeated Uralmash at home – 73:67 (23:10, 16:17, 17:17, 17:23).
Game progress
In the previous game, Avtodor ended long losing streak and immediately showed determination to repeat. The hosts started the game strongly, quickly pulling ahead and trying to consolidate the lead, playing almost the entire first quarter with starting five. This paid off and the unexpected pressure forced the guests to make mistakes. Uralmash players only scored 3 times in the opening quarter and committed 6 turnovers.
The Saratov team failed to build a decisive lead. The guests gradually picked up pace and had reduced the deficit to 12 by halftime.
Key moment
The second half was equal. The hosts held the lead for a long time, but 7-man rotation proved insufficient to maintain the lead until the very end. Uralmash managed to make a final push in the last minutes, but it was not enough.
X-factor
Avtodor bet on its starting players. The starters secured the initial lead and had 165.3 minutes total in game. Uralmash starting five played 129 minutes.
Facts
The Saratov team beat Uralmash at home for the first time in the rivalry history (overall score – 3-7).
Avtodor won its 150th game in the VTB League in 347 games.
The game gifted the 500,000th point scored in the VTB League history.
Leaders
Avtodor: Vitalius Pranauskis (25 + 5 rebounds + 7 assists + 6 turnovers), Alen Hadzibegovic (22 + 9 rebounds + 4 blocks)
Uralmash: Garrett Nevels (20 + 5 rebounds), Octavius Ellis (18 + 9 rebounds), Timofei Gerasimov (16 + 5 turnovers)
What’s next
Avtodor: December 28 on the road against Lokomotiv Kuban
Uralmash: December 28 at home versus UNICS.
