Avtodor defeated MBA in Moscow – 84:63 (16:20, 25:12, 19:18, 24:13).
Game progress
The Saratov team couldn’t make offense work for a long time and scored only 6 points in the first 7 minutes. MBA players created a double-digit lead – 17:6.
After that, the guests’ leaders started to make shots. Malik Newman and Rayshawn Hammonds duo put together a 14:2 run at the start of the second quarter to put the Saratov team ahead. Kasatkin helped the hosts offense with creating chances for his teammates. That wasn’t enough for a comeback, as Newman scored 4 points in 30 seconds at the end of the first half – 41:32.
At the beginning of the second half, the teams exchanged shots: Vitaly Fridzon replied to Daniil Kasatkin 2 shots with 9 points. The Saratov team activated bigmen in the paint and earned the right to shoot free throws, but MBA didn’t let their opponents get within 10 points before the fourth quarter.
The guests’ captain started the decisive run. Dominic Mavra made a difficult three-pointer, and in the next possession score a layup and brought the Volga team lead to 15. After that, the Moscow team was unable to make a comeback. Vasily Karasev team managed to score only 13 points in the final quarter. Avtodor, however, continued to build the lead with Mavra and Newman efforts and took the win.
X-factor
The Saratov team had good perimeter defense, which allowed MBA to make only 16.7% long-range shots. At the same time, the Volga team made 7 of 14 long-range shots, and Dominic Mavra three-pointer started the guests’ decisive run in the final quarter.
Fact
The win became the fifth in a row for Avtodor. The Saratov team current winning streak is the best over the past 2 seasons in the VTB United League. Before that, the Volga team won 5 or more times in a row in the Fall 2021.
Leaders
MBA: Daniil Kasatkin (22 + 6 assists), Aleksandr Khomenko (10)
Avtodor: Malik Newman (19), Rayshawn Hammonds (16 + 6 rebounds), Dominic Mavra (15), Vitaly Fridzon (10).
What’s next
MBA (9-21): March 9 on the road versus MINSK
Avtodor (14-16): March 10 at home against Pari Nizhny Novgorod.
