Astana got the 3rd win of the season and extended MINSK losing streak – 76:65 (20:15, 22:19, 18:15, 16:16).
Game progress
MINSK (1-16) and Astana (2-14) closed the standings. The Minsk team had a series of 6 losses – the longest in the VTB League.
Astana had the lead in the first half. The guests did not score three-pointers well, but did it through the paint. Valery Likhodey and Michael Myers led Astana offense. Due to dedication and useful bench activity, MINSK did everything not to let opponent go further. Astana set a club anti-record last game week, scoring only 41 points in the against UNICS. Now, after 20 minutes, Oleg Kiselev team was leading 42:34.
In the third quarter, Astana also began to make threes and increased the lead to 11 points before the fourth quarter.
Key moment
MINSK started a comeback in the fourth quarter, which gave the team hope. A few minutes before the end, the hosts reduced the score difference to 5 points, but failed to equalise the game. Astana had 2 good offensive possessions, which ended with Daniil Aksenov and Markell Johnson mid-range shots – 72:63, 1:47 before the end. The timeout did not help MINSK: Astana controlled the game in the remaining time and finished the last VTB League game in 2022 with a win.
Key factor
Michael Myers. The American bigman missed the game with UNICS. Myers return has significantly strengthened the Kazakh team. The American center has 13 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists with 5 of 9 from the game.
Fact
By Sunday, MINSK remained the only team that did not win at home (0-9). Astana had the status of the only team that did not win on the road (0-9). The Kazakh team managed to end this series.
Game Leaders
MINSK: Uladzislau Bliznyuk (12 + 7 assists), Kiriyl Sitnik (10), Uladzislau Mikulski (8 + 5 rebounds), Darol Hernandez-Zinenko (4 + 10 rebounds).
Astana: Kwame Vaughn (15), Valeriy Likhodey (14 + 8 rebounds), Michael Myers (13 + 9 rebounds), Markell Johnson (13), Daniil Aksenov (8 + 5 assists).
Next games
MINSK: home game versus Zenit on January 4
Astana: home game against Samara on January 4
