Nizhny Novgorod beat Avtodor at home – 86:80 (23:15, 23:30, 21:20, 19:15).
Top scorers
Nizhny Novgorod: Anton Astapkovich (19 + 10 rebounds), Evgenii Baburin (19), Ivan Strebkov (11).
Avtodor: Cheick Diallo (17 + 8 rebounds), Markel Starks (15), Nate Mason (15 + 11 assists), Giann Clavell (12), Zeljko Sakic (11 + 8 rebounds).
Story
The teams approached the game in different mood. Nizhny took tough victory in Poland in latest tour, Avtodor lost to UNICS at home letting the opponents set new season-high in scoring.
The hosts took the initiative from the very beginning. Nizhny’s most active players were Alexandre Gavrilovic and Anton Astapkovich who scored 11 points combined in first 5 minutes. It let Nizhny take an 8-point lead by the middle of the quarter. By the end the game was evened but the differential was the same – 23:15 in hosts favor.
In the beginning of the second quarter the teams started true shootaround: Anton Astapkovich and Artem Komolov threes were answered by Nate Mason, Evgeniy Minchenko and Anton Kvitkovskikh’s accurate shots. Then, the pace slowed down a bit that was in Avtodor’s favor. Saratov made 14-0 run that let them get back to the game and finish the first half with 1-point lead – 45:46.
🚀 Сергей Торопов эффектно завершает 1-ю половину против @AvtodorSaratov! pic.twitter.com/uwyLtw85DP
— VTB League (@VTBUL) February 11, 2021
After the half time the teams tried to feel the rhythm. Tight defense from both teams led to low-scoring, in 5 minutes the teams scored only 11 points combined. This period set the tone for the third quarter. In the end of the quarter the hosts were luckier: Anton Astapkovich hit the mid-range shot and brought Nizhny up ahead – 67:65.
The final quarter started with Nizhny’s offensive actions. Ivan Strebkov and Kasey Shepherd hit a few consecutive shots that made Gordie Herbert take emergency time-out. And it worked. Nizhny Novgorod players couldn’t score in next two minutes and Markel Starks and Anton Astapkovich cut the gap again to 3 points.
Key moment
The game was decided in the clutch. Avtodor offensive mistakes were the key factor. Firstly, Nate Mason turned it over with 52 seconds left in the regulation and in the next possession Zeljko Sakic didn’t hit crucial three. Nizhny’s forward Antont Astapkovich ended the game with free throws – 86:80.
Hero
Anton Astapkovich spent a perfect game. The Russian collected double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes on the court and became the most efficient player of the game with 18 EFF points.
Stat
38 minutes – spernt by 33-year-old Nizhny Novgorod captain Evgenii Baburin.
Comments
Nizhny Novgorod head coach Zoran Lukic:
– Congratulations to the team on the important victory before the break. I am not satisfied with the game. During the game we allowed Avtodor to score 5 easy points and get back to the game. We should do some homework, play smarter in terms of the tactics. With such basketball UNICS may punish us after the break. We will work harder and do our best to bring our game to the next level.
Avtodor head coach Gordie Herbert:
– Congratulations to Nizhny Novgorod and their head coach on the victory. Both teams were fighting to win. We made too many mistakes in defense in the final quarter, which led to our defeat. Nizhny have excellent sharp shooters and we allowed them to hit open shots. Nevertheless, I liked the dedication, team chemistry on the court. It all brings hope.
Next
Nizhny Novgorod: February 27 @ UNICS
Avtodor: February 28 vs Tsmoki-Minsk
Photo
